Don A. Heuer, 98, of Batesville, Arkansas went to be with his Lord and Savior Friday Morning, April 7th, 2023. Don was born November 4, 1924, in Thayer, Missouri, the son of A.A. Heuer and Mary Todd Heuer.
Don was preceded in death by his parents, wife Carol Thomas Heuer, daughter Anita Baker, sister Ava Lee Heuer, and brother Sam Heuer. He is survived by his wife Polly Heuer; sister Catherine Heuer Ash; son Jeff Heuer; grandchildren Angie Franks, Stephanie Phillips, and Dustin Heuer; Great Grandchildren Sydney Franks, Blake Franks, Blaine Ramey, Sheridan Phillips, Declan Heuer, Jacob Crommett, and Halley Crommett; and great-great Grandchild Blakely Franks. The joy of Don’s life was spending time fishing, hunting, swimming, and playing with his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
Don attended Batesville High School and the Western Military Academy in Alton, Illinois. On January 5, 1944, he entered the United States Navy and served in the South Pacific Theater on LST 951, a landing craft and hospital ship. He received the Okinawa and Philippine Liberation Ribbons and was present in Tokyo Harbor when the Japanese surrendered ending World War 2.
Upon returning from World War 2 Don met and fell in love with Carol Thomas while they attended Arkansas College(Lyon College today). Don and Carol built a wonderful life together and were married for 58 years until she passed. Don met Polly Crommett in 2006 at the White River Medical Center where they both worked as volunteers. They wed in July 2006 and were married for the remainder of his life.
Don was the proprietor of Heuer Shoe Store, a long-time landmark in Downtown Batesville, until his 1985 retirement. At one point he owned five shoe stores in Arkansas and Tennessee. Don attended Calvary Baptist Church where he served as a Deacon and taught a men’s Sunday school class for over 40 years. Don loved his church and served in various positions on numerous committees in his never-ending effort to help the church grow. Don was involved in many activities and organizations and was an active member of the Batesville business community. He served the Woodlawn Nursing Home board for 34 years and was credited for leading the effort to build the Wildwood Independent Living Center. He served on the boards of the First National Bank in Batesville and the Bank of Evening Shade. He served many years on the board of the Heuer and Williams Shoe Association in Springfield, Missouri, which represented 150 shoe stores.
Don enjoyed quail hunting with his bird dogs. He was an avid fisherman. One of the high points of his fishing career was catching a state-record Kentucky Bass, which weighed five pounds, 8 ¼ ounces. Don was also a pilot who logged almost 900 flying hours. He and Carol enjoyed flying for business and pleasure. Don also enjoyed farming, and raising cattle on his 140 farms located on East Main Street in Batesville. Throughout his life he enjoyed helping people and made many amazing friends, including Robert Wadlow of Alton, Illinois, at 8’11’ still the tallest man who ever lived.
Pallbearers will be Steve Franks, Blake Franks, Dustin Heuer, Declan Heuer, Joe Crommett, and Jacob Crommett.
Funeral services will be held Tuesday, April 11, 2023, at the Calvary Baptist Church at 2:00 pm with Keith Byrd and Randy Scott officiating. Burial will follow at Mt. Zion Cemetery.
The family will receive friends at the church one hour prior to service time.
In lieu of flowers please contribute to the Calvary Baptist Building Fund, 1775 Lyon Street, Batesville, Arkansas 72501.
