Michael W. Heaton

Michael W. Heaton, 81, passed away peacefully on March 14, 2026. Mike was born in Bremerton, WA, graduated from the University of Washington, and lived all over the world before spending his final years in Fayetteville, NY. Mike served during the Vietnam War in the Army Corp of Engineers. He was a civil engineer and spent most of his career working for the Veterans Administration building and remodeling hospitals. In his younger years, he was active in the mountaineers in Washington State where he learned rock climbing and first aid and did lots of hiking and camping. Mike deeply loved God, his family, and learning. After his retirement, he volunteered with Wycliffe Associates and spent several years in Tanzania and Ethiopia building 3 different buildings, helping to pastor a local church, and teaching classes at a local college. When he returned to the States in 2020, he began volunteering at his local church and spent many hours in ministry with them. He indulged his love of learning through the pursuit of advanced education in theology. Mike proudly earned two master's degrees after his retirement and was working on his PhD when he passed.

He is survived by his wife Gretchen Heaton, his children Michelle Colicci (David) and Kenny Heaton, and his grandchildren Adora, Emma and Joey Colicci, and Caleb, Indigo, Claire, Christa and Coby Heaton, as well as his sister Claudia Heaton. He was predeceased by his parents Roy and Elouise Heaton, his sister April Ranstead and his daughter-in-law Carie Heaton.

Calling hours will be held from 11:00AM-12:00PM followed by the service at 12:00PM on April 4, 2026 at Syracuse Alliance Church, 3112 Midland Ave. Syracuse, NY. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Great Commission Fund at Syracuse Alliance Church.