John Howard Heitstuman, 80,

John Howard Heitstuman, 80, of Fallon, Nev., and a former longtime resident of Rathdrum, Idaho, died peacefully at home in the presence of family Nov. 10, 2025.

John was born May 22, 1945, in Klamath Falls, Ore., to Norman Arthur Mackley and Elma Viola (Land) Clark.

John grew up in Rathdrum, Idaho, graduating from Rathdrum High School in 1963, where he was active in sports. He joined the Navy in 1965 and was on active duty until 1971. He served as an electrician's mate, first aboard the aircraft carrier USS Bonhomme Richard and then aboard the destroyer USS John Paul Jones, followed by boots-on-the-ground service in Vietnam. He served 20 years as a reservist.

John met Karen Marie Miller of South San Francisco at a dance. They were married April 28, 1969, in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, and raised their family in Rathdrum. John helped establish the Quick Response Unit, used until Rathdrum got its own ambulance, and served as the mayor of Rathdrum from 1992 to 1994. He was also a junior tackle football coach with the Lakeland School District for ten years. 

In 2002, John and Karen Heitstuman moved to Nevada and lived in Fallon. They were members of Gospel Light Baptist Church for 21 years and were active in their church. 

John is survived by his wife, Karen; his brothers, Bert Heitstuman, of Kasilof, Alaska, Norman Heitstuman and his wife, Cherry, of Rathdrum, Idaho, and Dennis Luttrell of Eldon, Mo.; his daughters, Kelli Tomko of Fallon, Nev., Kate Dobson of Lewisville, Texas, and Karri Raymond and her husband, Doug Raymond, of Fernley, Nev., six grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. 

He was preceded in death by his parents, two stepbrothers and his only sister, Sylvia.