John Scott Heise

JOHN SCOTT HEISE

October 12, 1937 – December 5, 2025

I, John Scott Heise, was born October 12, 1937, to Edward Scott Heise and Waunelia Sights Heise. I left this world on December 5, 2025, at 88 years young, holding the hand of the love of my life, Mary Ellen Murnin-Heise.

As a proud graduate of Elston High School in Michigan City, Indiana, Class of 1956, I participated in Football, Track, Hi-Y, Baseball and the Glee Club, embracing every opportunity to learn, grow, contribute, and fully embrace life.

I continued my education at Purdue University before graduating from Indiana University. I went on to serve our country honorably in the Department of the Navy, Bureau of Naval Personnel. I completed the Department of the Navy, Bureau of Naval Personnel Service Schools training on December 17, 1957, and served aboard the USS Independence and the USS Randolph. I received an Honorable Discharge on February 26, 1963, a chapter I carried with deep pride throughout my life.

On August 6, 1988, I married Mary Ellen Murnin-Heise, my lifelong soulmate and the love of my life. Our deep and lasting love was the center of our lives. We hit the jackpot when we found each other!

I also shared a treasured lifelong friendship with my brother-in-law Stephen Murnin. The two of us spent countless joyful hours on the golf course together, and one of our most memorable adventures was our unforgettable Pebble Beach golf trip. Stephen lovingly called me his "golfing buddy," a phrase filled with affection and shared history.

Golf was my second great love. I was especially proud of getting a Hole-in-One on July 25, 2012, at Red Rock Country Club-Hole #7, 162 yards with a seven-wood.

As an avid and passionate sports fanatic my love for sports began as a child, listening to St. Louis Cardinals games on the radio with my family. Throughout my life I cheered for the Chicago Bears, Las Vegas Golden Knights, Las Vegas Aviators, UNLV basketball and football, and the Las Vegas Aces. I kept detailed statistics on the Golden Knights every season and created full playoff reports. I truly should have been hired by the organization, if only they knew!

One of my most treasured final memories was attending the Vegas Golden Knights game on October 20, 2025, with Stephen, Lori, my sister-law and Mary Ellen. The joyful photos with a cheerleader and Chance, the mascot, will forever remain a cherished reminder of love and laughter.

I devoted 35 years, August 1977-August 2012 to education as a Professor of Marketing at the Community College of Southern Nevada in the Department of Business Administration, mentoring over 8,000 students. In 1980 I was elected Faculty Senate Chair serving two terms 1982-1983 and 1987-1988. As I have been told, I influenced countless lives with my wisdom, humor, and generous spirit.

On October 12, 2012, Las Vegas Mayor Carolyn Goodman declared with a proclamation and celebratory ceremony in her office "John Heise Day" in the City of Las Vegas, honoring my years of community service, dedication to education, retirement, the momentous occasion of my 75th birthday and the lasting impact I made.

Our lives together were filled with adventure-attending sporting events, traveling to visit with family, enjoying an Alaskan cruise, returning to MY Elston High School reunions, beating Mary Ellen in Mexican Train and dreaming of future travels to Ireland and a Mediterranean cruise, journeys Mary Ellen lovingly says "will be waiting for us."

We also shared laughter with our Gourmet Wine Group, where a wine was named during a special Bacchus, Roman God of wine, themed dinner in our home with the winery owners; all dressed in togas.

I taught Mary Ellen to golf, to love sports, to stay positive, and to never give up. We were truly a TEAM. "Mary Ellen was the pitcher and I was the catcher-always catching Mary Ellen, supporting her, and loving her unconditionally."

I adored our eight "fur babies," who filled our home with joy and unconditional love over the years.

I am survived by my cherished daughter Susan Ramsay, my caring and supportive son-in-law Aaron Ramsay, and my treasured grandchildren Will, Lauren, and Sarah.

I am survived by my beloved nieces Sharon Vice, Katherine Heise, Michelle Murnin-Paulson, Jennifer Cirimele, and Kristi Murnin; and by my nephews Scott Heise and Don Heise.

I was preceded in death by my son David Heise, and by my brothers Barrett Heise and Robert Heise.

Even in difficult times, I never gave up. I held Mary Ellen's hand with a tight grasp and a kiss-still reassuring, still loving, still fighting as I left her side on December 5.

There are numerous people to thank therefore, cannot leave anyone out, so it will only be whispered in your hearts since you know who you are. Special thank you to Dr. Herb Cordero and staff, Dr. Karen Jacks and staff, Dr. Vic Knutzen, Fernando Iglesia, Junior Torres, Dr. Michael Crovetti, Jennifer D'Andrea APRN, Dr. Stephen Gephardt and staff, St. Rose Dominican Hospital staff, Nathan Adelson Hospice and BrightStar: all of which kept me enjoying life.

I am turning my farewell over to Mary Ellen so she can tell you the rest of the story as I am spending my first Christmas in Heaven with our loved ones.

Mary Ellen's farewell:

John was the most positive person in the world, and no one ever left him without a smile. His wit, sense of humor and fondness of living life to the fullest will never be forgotten as all of you know. May John be in our Lord's eternal care, reunited with our loved ones who went before him. May God allow John to watch over me and protect me, just as he always did. John will forever be my guardian angel, guiding my steps, holding my heart and walking beside me for the rest of my days.

Celebration of Life details to be announced. Please continue to check this website.

In lieu of flowers, PLEASE send your special/charitable gifts in John's honor to the following:

CSN FOUNDATION

Online donations: CSNFOUNDATION.ORG

GIVE TODAY, WAYS TO GIVE

Your charitable gift, made in John's honor, will establish a scholarship

Please make checks payable to CSN FOUNDATION

CSN FOUNDATION

6375 West Charleston Blvd.

WCE 310

Las Vegas, Nevada 89146

Contact information: Danita Simons, Executive Director, CSN FOUNDATION:

702-651-7535 or email: danita.simons@csn.edu

Nevada SPCA

Online donations: https://nevadaspca.app.neoncrm.com/forms/memorialdonations

Donate in Memory of a Loved One

Contact information: Angela Heine, Development Specialist:

702-873-7722 or 503-991-9364

Nathan Adelson Hospice

Online donations: NAH.ORG

Make a donation: Ways to Give

Make a donation in honor or in memory of someone special

Contact information: Stephanie Forbes, Philanthropy Officer:

702-733-0320