Robert Heaton

Robert “Bob” Clyde Heaton, 92, of Paola, Kansas, died February 10, 2026, at Olathe Hospice House following a brief battle with cancer. Born on May 24, 1933, in Pawnee County, Kansas, he was the son of Clyde Jacob Heaton and Mildred Ruth (Reed) Heaton. He graduated from Larned High School in 1951, where he was a member of the 1950 Class “A” State basketball champion team.

On December 28, 1952, Bob married his high school sweetheart, Mary Louise Newcomb. Together they had two children, Mark Bradley and Kelly DeAnne. Bob was a gifted storyteller with an acute memory for detail and frequent summer evenings were spent listening to his tales of childhood escapades. He and Mary Louise enjoyed many happy years together in Wichita until her death in 2018, after which he moved to Paola.

Bob served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War, stationed in Austria as part of the Allied occupation forces. Initially trained as a half-track gunner, he later served as the battery clerk. After discharge, Bob and Mary Louise moved to Wichita where he worked forty-two years for Petroleum, Inc., an independent oil and gas production company owned by Garvey Enterprises, rising from a production clerk to Senior Vice President.

An avid golfer, Bob’s favorite achievement was shooting a hole-in-one at the age of 90. He greatly enjoyed the friendships he made while playing with the senior men’s group at Paola Country Club. He also loved to watch all sports, especially the KU Jayhawks, Kansas City Chiefs, and New York Yankees.

Bob was a member of Paola United Methodist Church and American Legion Post 156. He was a kind, loving, generous, and faithful man, and weathered life’s challenges with grace and dignity. He will be greatly missed by family, friends, and neighbors.

Survivors include Kelly Heaton Stewart (Ed) of Paola, grandchildren: Sarah Watson (Mike), Neal Stewart (Allison), Andrew Heaton (Chelsea), Sean Heaton (Samantha), and David Heaton, and great-grandchildren: Anna and Caleb Watson, Walker and June Stewart, and Michael and Margaret Heaton. He was preceded in death by his wife, son, parents, and siblings Nancy Ann (Heaton) Schneck and Dean Reed Heaton.

Private family services have already taken place. Memorials can be directed to Paola United Methodist Church, 209 S. Silver St., Paola, KS 66071.