Barbara Heaton

Barbara Heaton, 62, of Mt. Pleasant, IA, died on Tuesday, November 01, 2011, at her home. A Christian Vigil Service will be held on Sunday at 3 p.m., November 6, 2011, at St. Alphonsus Catholic Church. The family will receive friends following the Vigil Service till 6 p.m. Funeral mass will be held Monday, November 7th at 10:30 a.m. at St. Alphonsus Catholic Church with co-celebrants Reverend Ed Fitzpatrick and Reverend Joseph Phung. Interment will be in the St. Alphonsus Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family prefers memorials to be given to Midwest Old Threshers, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, and New London Community Schools Dollars for Scholars. Born March 22, 1949, Barb was the daughter of James L. and Elizabeth Ann (Emard) Yeast in Ft. Madison, IA. She attended Ft. Madison Aquinas Schools graduating in 1967. She attended Iowa Wesleyan College and graduated in 1974 earning an elementary education degree. On December 1, 1973, she married Dennis Heaton in Mt. Pleasant, IA. Barb was employed by the New London Community School District where she worked as an elementary school teacher for 30 years retiring in 2010. She was chosen as Teacher of the Year in 2010. A devout member of St. Alphonsus Catholic Church, Barb served on Altar and Rosary Society, Parish Council, Fall Festival Committee, and taught CCD classes. She was a member of Delta Kappa Gamma, DAR, PEO Chapter NZ, Henry County Retired Teachers Association, and Old SOTS. She also served on the Mt. Pleasant Planning and Zoning Commission. Barb enjoyed being at her cabin on the Skunk River, boating, gardening, and canning. She also enjoyed reading and knitting. Her greatest enjoyment was being with her family and grandchildren. Survivors include her husband, Dennis; two sons, Christopher (Erin) Heaton of Mt. Pleasant, IA, and Michael (Abigail) Heaton of Richardson, TX; five brothers, Jim (Joellyn) Yeast of Dubuque, IA, Steve (Rita) Yeast of Cedar Rapids, IA, Jay (Suzanne) Yeast of West Liberty, IA, Don (Isa) Yeast of Mt. Pleasant, IA, and Bill Yeast of Osage Beach, MO; one sister, Lisa (Joe) Mitchell of Camdenton, MO; four grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents, James and Betty Yeast.