John English Heath

Mr. John English Heath, 98, of Union, widower of Sarah Wilson Heath, passed away Thursday, Nov. 5, 2015, at Heartland of Union.
Heath was born in Monroe, N.C., on July 21, 1917, a son of the late William Joseph Heath and Elizabeth English Heath. He graduated Monroe High School on May 3, 1934, and began working at Belk in High Point, N.C., on June 4, 1934 at 17. Heath continued to work for Belk for 16 years. He enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Forces during World War II, serving from 1942 to 1945, taking part in the North African campaign as a flight engineer and later finishing pilot training. In 1946, he moved to Union and partnered in the Williamson 5&10 Cent Store in Whitmire, S.C,, from 1947 until 1948. In 1951 he opened the Ideal Gift Shop. On Nov. 28, 1953, he married Sara Wilson, a Union native. They moved into their home in August 1959. Heath was very active at Grace United Methodist Church, where he was involved with the Neighbor Helping Neighbor, Salkehatchie Project, and many other mission and civic projects in the area.
Surviving are a sister, Frances Heath Henderson of Wilkesboro, N.C.; nine nieces and nephews; and many great-nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by two brothers, William Joseph Heath Jr. and Benjamin Dawson Heath, and two sisters, Margaret Heath Culbertson and Elizabeth Heath Finley.
Memorials may be made to Grace United Methodist Church, 201 S. Church St., Union, SC 29379, Salkehatchie Project, C/O Grace United Methodist Church 201 S. Church Street, Union, SC 29379, or Neighbor Helping Neighbor C/O Grace United Methodist Church, 201 S. Church St., Union, SC 29379.