John William Heisey, 86

On Aug. 15, 2016, John William Heisey finished his earthly race and crossed the finish line to be with his Lord. John was born Feb. 16, 1930, to John M. Heisey and Alice (Dourte) Heisey in Manheim, Pa.

Upon graduating from high school, he followed an older brother’s footsteps and joined the Navy. His military journey took him to San Diego, Calif., where in the local YMCA he was introduced to Jesus Christ as his personal savior and set his feet on a new path. John’s first duty station was on the island of Guam. It was there that he met his lovely bride, Dolores Cruz. The two were married on Nov. 7, 1951, and they celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in 2001. Their first child, Paul was born on Guam.

Following his honorable discharge from the United States Navy, John attended Bob Jones University in Columbia, S.C., receiving a degree in English and a minor in Bible. Their second child, Joel was born there. The couple then relocated to Pennsylvania; but, his wife, Dolores, was home sick for her island. A third son, Darryl was born in Pennsylvania before the family returned to Guam in 1963. A fourth son, Jonathan, was added while John taught English at George Washington and John F. Kennedy High School.

After taking an early retirement from teaching in Guam, John moved the family to Tucson, Ariz., where he spent many years as an educator at Tucson Christian School and Palo Verde Christian School. He finished his teaching career as a woodshop teacher to disabled children at Myers’ Ganoung Elementary in Tucson. John and Dolores relocated to Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, in 2006 to be near family.

John loved working with children and helped with AWANA well into his 70s. He was a Deacon, Elder, Worship Leader and Choir Directory at local churches for more than three decades. He also faithfully led a Bible study for nursing home residents in Tucson for more than 20 years. John was instrumental in church plants on Guam for Palawan and Korean congregations. He loved his family, his church and his country, but most of all he loved his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ and gave Bibles to neighbors and friends he met as he regularly attended the Lake City Center. Over the years he handed out thousands of gospel tracts to people who crossed his path.

John is preceded in death by his parents; his brothers, Daniel Heisey Sr., Russel Heisey and Ezra Heisey; sisters Orpha Heisey and Naomi Suydam; his son, Paul and his wife, Dolores. He is survived by his son, Joel (Bethann) Heisey of Coeur d’Alene; his son, Darryl (Anna) Heisey of Coeur d’Alene; his son, Jonathan (Juliana) Heisey of Murfreesboro, Tenn.; his eight grandchildren, Caitlyn, Sara (Matt), Olivia, Joshua, Parker, Ellie, Brycen and Greta; and his great-grandchildren, Corbin and Waylon.

The family would like to thank Hayden Bible Church for their prayers and support, CDA Caring Hands for many hours of loving care at home and Hospice of North Idaho for their support in John’s final days.

The memorial service for John Heisey will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 17, 2016, at Hayden Bible Church, 290 E. Miles Ave., Hayden.