Herman Jack Heston

Herman M. "Jack" Heston, 84, passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by his family Saturday, August 8, 2009 after a brief illness. Born in Ohio, he moved to Tennessee with his family at an early age and began a lifelong appreciation of nature and the beauty of Tennessee. His knowledge of history, wildflowers, wildlife, gardening and farming were astounding and he took great pride in passing on all he knew to future generations. He was an Eagle Scout and graduated from Spring City High School in 1943. He immediately joined the U.S. Navy and served in World War II, where he was a crewmember of the USS Thomas Destroyer Escort 102. After the war, he joined the Merchant Marines and spent several years sailing on the Great Lakes. He retired from Dupont Corporation and spent the remainder of his life on the farm he loved. He was a lifelong supporter of numerous conservation efforts and was an original contributor to the development of the Tri-State exhibition center. He was a 2008 inductee into the Bradley County Agricultural Hall of Fame and was dedicated to the conservation of nature and beauty throughout his life. He was a very generous man who always sought ways to fulfill the needs of his family, community and country. He was preceded in death by his father H.E. Heston; loving wife Elaine Heston and son David Heston. Survivors include his mother Ruth Heston of Cleveland; daughter Jackie Ellis and husband Larry of Charleston six grandchildren and spouses: Jonathan Ellis and wife Shonna, Jena Birdwell and husband Mike, Jack Andrew Ellis, Anna Heston, April Heston and Jason Heston all of Charleston; six great-grandchildren: Haley Ellis, Orion Bear Ellis, Andrew Birdwell, Noah Birdwell, Jo Jo Birdwell and Sara Price all of Charleston; three sisters: Alice McDonald of Michigan, Margie Heston of Nashville and Mary Ann Lawson of Chattanooga and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be conducted at 3 p.m., Tuesday, August 11, 2009 in the chapel of Fike Funeral Home with Reverend William Ellis officiating. He will lovingly be laid to rest in the Heston Family Cemetery in Charleston with family members Jonathan Ellis, Jack Ellis, Mike Birdwell, Larry Ellis, Monty Davis and Barry Winn serving as pallbearers. Military Honors and a white dove release will conclude the service. The family will receive friends from 5-8 p.m. Monday, August 10, 2009 at the funeral home. We invite you to send a message of condolence and view the Heston family guestbook at www.fikefh.com.