Barry Valentine Heaton Obituary (1940 - 2018)

Barry Valentine Heaton, 78, of Pana passed away Friday, December 7, 2018 in St. John's Hospital, Springfield, surrounded by his loving family. He was born on February 9, 1940 in Murrayville, IL, the son of Ralph Gordon and Ida Frances (Scholfield) Heaton. Barry graduated from Jacksonville High School in 1958, and received his Bachelor's degree in Education from Illinois State University in Normal in 1962. He later earned a Master's and Specialist degrees from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Barry began his teaching and coaching career in Niantic-Harristown in 1962, moving to St. Elmo in 1965, and eventually settling in Pana in 1967. He taught Social Studies and Physical Education and coached basketball and track. His administrative duties began as Assistant Principal at Pana High School, then becoming Principal and Athletic Director, and ultimately Superintendent of the Pana School District, before retiring in 1994. He was an active member of the First United Methodist Church of Pana, serving on various committees, a member of the Pana Lions Club and Pana Country Club. He served on the Board at People's Bank & Trust of Pana & Pana Community Hospital Board, and he was also a volunteer driver for Faith in Action. He was a lifelong Chicago Cubs fan, followed Fighting Illini sports, and loved playing golf and cards (bridge) and solving crossword puzzles. He was a loving grandfather, closely following the activities and accomplishments of his grandchildren. Barry married Peggy Jane Scott on June 23, 1963 in Winchester, IL and she survives in Pana, along with their two sons, Scott (Stacey) Heaton, Lakewood, CO and Mark (Julie) Heaton, Moweaqua, IL. He is also survived by two brothers: Fred Alan (Charlotte) Heaton and Bruce Noel (Sharon) Heaton; two sisters: Nancy Lee (Gary) Spangenberg and Carla Marie (John) Sheppard and four grandchildren: Allie & Connor Heaton, Moweaqua, IL and Hannah & Luke Heaton, Lakewood, CO. He was preceded in death by his parents and four brothers: Lyndon Scholfield Heaton, Dale Vernon Heaton, Russel James Heaton and John Ivan Heaton. Funeral services for Barry will be held on Monday, December 17, 2018 at 10:00 a.m. in the First United Methodist Church of Pana with Pastor Amanda Richards officiating. Burial will be in Linwood Cemetery, Pana. Visitation will be Sunday, December 16, 2018 from 5 to 8 p.m. in McCracken-Dean Funeral Home. Memorials in Barry's honor may be made to the First United Methodist Church of Pana or Pana Community Hospital Foundation for the PCH Building Project.