Paul L. Heaton

Paul L. Heaton, Jr., 79, New Philadelphia, died Tuesday, March 30, 2004, at Morning View Care Center in New Philadelphia, following an extended illness.Paul was born January 9, 1925, in Weirton, West Virginia, to the late Paul L. and Lora Bell Heaton.Paul graduated from Weirton High School in l943, and then joined the 5th Cavalry. As a combat infantryman, he was sent to the Asiatic-Pacific theater and fought in the Philippines, Luzon, and New Guinea, where he earned 3 bronze stars, a victory medal, a good conduct medal, a meritorious unit award, Philippine Liberation award, and a purple heart. He was honorably discharged in January, 1946.Paul raised his family in New Philadelphia and was a member of the Sharon Moravian Church in Tuscarawas. He was also previously a long-time member of the First United Methodist Church of New Philadelphia where he was head usher for many years and enjoyed various roles of leadership within the organization. Paul worked for Ramsey’s Stove and Furnace Company until it went out of business, then Citizen’s Budget Company. He enjoyed watching football and other sports on television as well as doing woodworking and “puttering” around in his garage. He was devoted to and loved his family and friends.Paul is survived by his wife, Mona, to whom he has been married for 23 years; two daughters, Paula Baker and Pat (Jim) Harris, both of New Philadelphia; two step-daughters, Wynne (Tim) Eckhardt of Greenville, PA, and Beverly (Richard) Rentsch of Strasburg; one step-son, Thomas (Vivian) Kaiser of Canton; one grandson, Josh McKenzie of Worthington; three granddaughters, Kristen (Jeff) Longman of Wilmington, NC, Traci (Ryan) Moreland of Brunswick, and Lauren Harris of Glen Burnie, MD; 9 step-grandchildren, Jamie Eckhardt of Greenville, PA, Shawn Eckhardt of the Navy stationed in Norfolk, VA, Andrea (Todd) Troyer of Dundee, Tammy (John) Foutz, Kathy Rentsch, Linda (Brent) Metzger, Shelly Rentsch, all of Strasburg, Kelly (Jim) Marks and Debbie (Keith) Newbauer of Massillon, and many great-grandchildren; He is also survived by two sisters, Helen (Russell) Lottes of Caraopolis, PA, and Doris (French) Meek of Freeport, and three brothers, Dr. Bernard (Jan) Heaton of Wolcatville, IN, Rev. Kenneth (Joyce) Heaton of Wasilla, AK, and Ronald Heaton of Westerville.Paul was preceded in death by his parents.Friends may call on the family at the Linn-Hert-Geib Funeral Home & Crematory on Thursday evening, April 1, 2004, from 5:00 to 8:00 pm, with Elks Lodge services at 7:45 pm. Services in the funeral home chapel will be Friday, April 2, at 10:30 am with Pastor Michael R. Foran officiating. The New Philadelphia VFW will conduct military services prior to the committal at Sharon Moravian Church Cemetery.A reception at the Sharon Moravian Church in Tuscarawas will follow the committal.The family requests that memorial contributions be made to Union Hospital, 659 Boulevard, Dover, 44622, or Morning View Care Center, 2594 East High Avenue, New Philadelphia, OH, 44663 both of which provided such excellent care, or to Sharon Moravian Church, State Route 416, P.O. Box 385, Tuscarawas, OH, 44682.LINN-HERT-GEIB FUNERAL HOME & CREMATORY330-343-5506www.geibfuneral.com