Michael John Heaton, 73, a longtime resident of Apopka, Florida, passed away on December 2, 2020. He was born March 1, 1947, in Detroit, Michigan, where he was raised. Mike was an Eagle Scout, served in the United States Army, was a proud Vietnam War veteran and patriot.
He is preceded in death by his mother Betty Heaton and his father John (Jack) Heaton. Mike is survived by his loving wife Debbie Heaton, two sons David (Amy) Heaton and Jeremy (Gina) Heaton, brother Thomas (Charlotte) Heaton, sister Barbara (Tom) Boyd, stepdaughter Rachel (Richard) Ward, stepson Ryan (Emily Martinez) Matthew, nine grandchildren and many more nieces, nephews, and cousins.
He moved his family from Michigan to Apopka in the early 1980s. He loved the Apopka community and they loved him. Mike continually sought out opportunities to improve the quality of life in the city and for those around him.
Along with owning and operating his air conditioning and heating business in Apopka for 35 years, he enjoyed taking day trips in his prized corvette with his fellow members of the Corvette Club of Orlando. For many years at Christmas time, Mike unselfishly played Santa Claus bringing joy to the children and grandchildren of local residents. In his earlier years he enjoyed running, playing golf & tennis at Errol Estates, and watching live sports – especially the Gators. He loved to dance, tell a great story, was the life of the party, and will be missed by so many.
Due to the national COVID pandemic, a funeral at the Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell, Florida, and a celebration of life, will be planned in the future. Charitable contributions can be made to The Gina McReynolds Foundation to help fight breast cancer (www.teamgina.org).