Joyce M. Heaton

Joyce M. Heaton, age 72, of Ligonier, Indiana passed away on Tuesday, November 26, 2024 at Parkview Regional Medical Center in Fort Wayne, Indiana. She was born on January 25, 1952, the daughter of John and Edna (Leddy) Sawicki in Queens, New York. On April 25, 1970 she married Harold Heaton.

She is survived by her husband of 54 years, Rev. Harold Heaton of Ligonier, their children, Harold (Susan) Heaton of Danville, IL, Linda (Ron) Ritter of Syracuse, IN, Glenn (Jill) Heaton of Heiskell, TN, Vanessa (Duane) Smith of Jamestown, NY, Tara (Stephen) Kelly of Hyden, KY, Kezia Murphy of Wakarusa, IN, Joshua (Andrea) Heaton of Okinawa, Japan, Daniel (DeAnna) Heaton of Elkhart, IN, Philip (Cheryl) Heaton of Rutledge, TN, Darlene (Jacob) Balakitsis of Killeen, TX, and Jonathan (Gracie) Heaton of Carlisle, England; twenty-nine grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; a son, Eddie; and four sisters, Gloria, Marybelle, Constance and Marilyn.

Joyce loved many things including cooking, gardening, and caring for any and all animals. She had a passion for teaching children as she homeschooled her own children, as well as taught children’s classes at church for decades. After raising their own 12 children, she and Harold then served as foster parents in Noble County for 15 years. Though she loved her family, friends, and hobbies dearly, beyond everything else was her love for her Savior, reading her Bible, and praying.

A funeral service will be held in Joyce’s honor at 2pm on Friday, December 6, 2024 at Yeager Funeral Home, 1589 Lincolnway South, Ligonier, Indiana 46767. Pastors David Harper and Jonathan Heaton will officiate. Burial will follow at Oak Park Cemetery in Ligonier.

Family and friends will be received from 1-2 pm prior to the service on Friday at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be given in Joyce's honor for missions to: Crown Christian Heritage Trust, PO Box 179 Powell, TN 37849 or online at [email protected] .

Yeager Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. Memories and condolences may be shared with the family online at www.yeagerfuneralhome.com.