John Carl (J.C.) Heits, the son of William J. and Bessie (Voltmer) Heits, was born on May 4, 1931 in Tarkio, Missouri. He attended Central Rural School near Tarkio and Star Rural School near Craig, graduating from Craig High School in 1949.

J.C. farmed with his parents until 1951 when he entered the United States Army, proudly serving his country overseas during the Korean Conflict. He was honorably discharged in 1952.

On June 26, 1955, J.C. was united in marriage to Nina Sue Krusor at the Rock Port Baptist Church by the Rev. Swadley. They lived and farmed near Craig, Corning and Fairfax until John’s retirement in 1995. In 2000, they moved to Fairfax, where he lived until 2005 at which time he entered Northview Manor in Tarkio. J.C. passed away on August 19, 2007 at the Heartland Regional Medical Center in St. Joseph, Missouri at the age of 76 years.

J.C. was a life-long member of the St. John’s Lutheran Church in Corning where he served as Trustee. He was a member and a past Commander of the Story-Hardin American Legion Post # 164, Craig, Missouri and past Chef de Gare Voiture No. 1402 of the 40 & 8. He enjoyed hunting and fishing, and loved to joke and have fun, especially with his family.

He is survived by his wife, Nina Sue of the home in Fairfax; three sons, Craig Heits and wife Louanne, Fairfax, Shane Heits, Fairfax, John Heits, Tarkio, Missouri, three daughters, Michele Roach and husband David, Kirkville, Iowa, Marissa Steele and husband R.D., St. Joseph, Missouri, Shawna Dampier and husband James, Weaubleau, Missouri; 15 grandchildren, 8 great-grandchildren; three sisters, Melva Schaufler and husband Monte, Kansas City, Missouri, Ramona Phillips and husband Donald, Savannah, Missouri, Shirley Quealy, Grandby, Colorado; two brothers, Richard Heits and wife Shirley, Fairfax, Bernard Heits and wife Sue, Fairfax; two brothers-in-law, James Harold Krusor, Fairfax, Kenton Krusor and wife Rita, Winthrop, Iowa.

Besides his parents, J.C. was preceded in death by a grandson, Timothy Mikel Roach; brothers-in-law Harold Vernon, Herbert Quealy.

Services will be Wednesday, August 22, 2007, 10:30 a.m. at the St. John’s Lutheran Church, Corning. Burial following at the Odd Fellows Cemetery, Craig. The family will receive friends Tuesday, August 21, 2007, 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Minter Funeral Chapel, Rock Port, Missouri. Memorials may be directed to the 40 & 8 Nursing Program or the St. John’s Lutheran Church, Corning.
Military rites under the auspice of Story-Hardin American Legion Post #164, Craig. Services under the direction of Minter Funeral Chapel, Rock Port.