John Heizer, 75, of Pittsburg, passed away at 9:54 a.m. Thursday, May 2, 2024, at Freeman West Hospital in Joplin.
He was born October 11, 1948, in Boulder, Colorado to John and Mildred Hizer. He graduated from Billy Mitchell High School in Colorado Springs, Colorado in June 1967. He graduated from Pittsburg State University in December 1979 with a Bachelor of Science in Electronic Technology and in May 1993 with a Master of Science degree in Technology.
John joined the US Navy on December 4, 1967, completing his basic training in San Diego, California. He received Basic Electric and Electronic training in San Diego. John went to Electronic Technician School in Treasure Island, California, and a Special Maintenance Course in Key West, Florida. John was stationed in several places while serving, from 1969 Jul – 1970 Dec, Naval Facility Eleuthera Bahamas; 1970 Jan – 1971, Jul Naval Facility Argentia Newfoundland; 1971 Jul – 1975 Dec, Naval Reserve Facility Parsons Kansas; 1975 Dec – 1976 Jan, Naval Reserve Center Joplin, Mo; 1976 Jan – 1980 Jan, Naval Air Reserve Center Olathe, KS; 1980 Jan – 1985 May, Naval Reserve Center Wichita, KS; 1985 May – 1993 Jan, Naval Air Reserve Center Olathe, KS. He retired from Navy/Navy Reserve at Naval Air Reserve in Olathe as an Electronic Technician Chief Petty Officer on January 1, 1993.
On December 7, 1974, he was married to Dorothy Juanita Pelican, the love of his life for 49 years, in Pittsburg.
John was employed at McNally Manufacturing as an electrician from 1975 to 1979. In January 1980, he went to work for Southwest Bell Telephone in Wichita as a Supervisor working from 1980 to 1983. He then worked for AT&T as a Supervisor from 1984 to retiring in June 2000. He went to work for Sprint PCS in Lenexa as Manager, Birch Telephone, and Sprint as a Telephone Technician, and then Embarq Telecom as a Telecom Engineer. John worked at Johnson County Department of Correction in Gardner as a Correctional Advisor, Century Link, then Cabela's before becoming a Reserve Police Officer in Sedgwick and Spring Hill, KS. In June of 2018, he moved back to Pittsburg.
John volunteered for Charlie 22 Outdoors, a Veteran Support Group in Webb City, Missouri. He enjoyed deer hunting, bird hunting, and Elk hunting in Colorado and also fishing. John enjoyed making Deer leg Gun racks and antler lamps for Charlie 22 Outdoors. John made sure to keep in touch with old friends from Naval service, Telecom, and Cabela's.
He is survived by his wife, Dorothy; a son, Don Heizer; a daughter, Trinity Heizer; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death parents, and three brothers, Sam Heizer, Bill Chappell, and Bruce Chappell.
A funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday (May 8) at Brenner Mortuary with Rev. Alex Cooper officiating. Burial will follow in the Crocker Cemetery, southeast of Pittsburg. Friends may come by the funeral home to sign the register book from 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday at the funeral home. The family suggests memorials be given to Charlie 22 Outdoors. These may be left at or mailed to the Brenner Mortuary, 114 E. 4th St, Pittsburg, KS 676762. Online condolences may be left at www.brennermortuary.com.
