Charles J. Heaton, 79, of Oakvale Boulevard died at 8:20 a.m. Friday at his home.

Born Oct. 2, 1926, in Butler, he was the son of William and Regina Dandoy Heaton.

He retired in 1962 as the postmaster in Zelienople.

Mr. Heaton attended the First United Methodist Church. He was a licensed real estate agent for Carl Shields.

He moved to Coral Springs, Fla., established his own real estate company and became a licensed appraiser. In 1977 he moved to Mesa, Ariz., where he became an appraiser. He retired in 1998 and moved back to Butler.

He served in Italy during World War II as a tank commander.

Mr. Heaton is survived by his wife, Phyllis Stutz Heaton, whom he married Nov. 13, 1999; three sons, Charles Jr. and his wife, Sue Heaton, of Middlebury, Conn., Jeffrey and his wife, Lauren, Heaton and Douglas and his wife, Vonnie, Heaton, all of Chandler, Ariz.; a daughter, Linda Felty of Shartlesville, Pa.; four step-children, Bob, Steve, and Linda Stutz and Susan Robinson; six grandchildren; one great-grandchild; six step-grandchildren; one sister, Mrs. Carolyn Pithers of Butler; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his first wife, Patricia Leith Heaton, and a brother, William Heaton.

<B>HEATON</B> — A memorial service for Charles J. Heaton, who died Friday, Dec. 2, 2005, will be announced later. Burial will be in the North Side Cemetery.Arrangements are being handled by the THOMPSON-MILLER FUNERAL HOME, INC.