Reavis R. Heiskell, Sr. (Ret. Maj. USAF)

October 2, 1933 - April 27, 2014

Visitation: Visitation will be Tuesday from 2-8 p.m., family present 6-8 p.m., at Anderson Funeral Home in Canton.

Service: Funeral services will begin at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, April 30 at Canton United Methodist Church with burial to follow at Forest Hill Cemetery.

 

Reavis R. Heiskell, Sr. (Ret. Maj. USAF), age 80,  died Sunday, April 27, 2014 at Sanford USD Medical Center in Sioux Falls.  Funeral services will begin at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, April 30 at Canton United Methodist Church with burial to follow at Forest Hill Cemetery.  Visitation will be Tuesday from 2-8 p.m., family present 6-8 p.m., at Anderson Funeral Home in Canton.

    Reavis Rayborn Heiskell, Sr. was born October 2, 1933 at Okemah, OK to Troy and Vona Belle (Burford) Heiskell.  At age 11, he moved with his family to Canton where he continued his education, graduating in 1951.  He attended SDSU and worked in the oil fields before being drafted into the service in 1954.  He was accepted into flight school in the Air Force, beginning a 20 year career in aviation.      He served in Korea and Tripoli, North Africa, including several locations in the U.S.  Following his retirement from the Air Force as a Major in 1974, he returned to Canton with his family.  He worked in car sales at Jim Deinema Ford and was a rural mail carrier for almost 18 years.  Following his retirement in 1998, he and Helen enjoyed traveling in their motor homes. 

     Reavis continued his lifelong love of aviation by owning several planes and even rebuilt his second plane.  His grandchildren loved flying with him and many youth in Canton had their first plane ride with Reavis.  He always had time for his grandchildren, which is shown by their love and respect for him.  Besides flying and traveling, Reavis enjoyed fishing trips and hunting.

          Reavis was very active in the community, serving on the city commission for 10 years.  He also was an active member of the VFW and Forest Hill Cemetery Association.  He was an avid C-Hawk fan and a member of the football chain gang, which gave a close-up view watching his grandsons play.

          Reavis is survived by his wife of 60 years, Helen; his children- Reavis, Jr. Vicki (Bill) Peterson, and Carmen (Clair) Gard all of Canton; 11 grandchildren- Brendan, Keelan, Emily, and Landon Peterson, Reavis III and Charles Heiskell, Amy Bertsch, Jodi Ekle, Bob, Derek, and Brett Gard; 9 great-grandchildren- Kaleb Peterson, Lexie and Knox Kapperman, Karter Heiskell, Owen and Asher Gard, Courtney Ekle, and Zoey and Shelby Bertsch; and two sisters- Mary Ann Stewart, Durant, OK and Vivian (Charles) Holt, Norman, OK.    

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7 messages have been left

  1. Heather and Martin Schwenk on April 28, 2014 said:

    Rev, So sorry to hear about your grandpa. You are in our thoughts.

  2. Kim Beck on April 28, 2014 said:

    Helen
    I was shocked to read in the paper that Reavis had passed away. I am so sorry for your loss. It was a
    great pleasure to share time with the both of you over the years. I know you will miss him greatly as
    will all his family and friends.
    Kim

  3. Duane & Sally Resel and family on April 28, 2014 said:

    Heiskell family:
    Our thoughts and prayers are with your entire family. We were truly blessed to have known Reavis. Remember that missing someone is your heart’s way of reminding you that you love them.

  4. Sonja Tyrrell on April 29, 2014 said:

    To the Family of Reavis Sr.,
    We were so sorry to hear of your loss. Reavis was a great person and will be dearly missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you.
    With Deepest Sympathy,
    Johnson Feed

  5. Steve Deinema on April 29, 2014 said:

    Helen,
    As you well know, Reavis was a life long friend of Dad’s. They grew up across the street from one another and later in life Reavis provided Dad with a great degree of solace, for which I am forever grateful. It is with a heavy heart I share in the loss to you and your family.

  6. Ron Holmoe on April 29, 2014 said:

    Reavis (Jr)
    I am sorry to hear of your father’s passing. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
    Ron

  7. Julie Patrick Carlson (Mary Ann Stewart's granddaughter) on April 30, 2014 said:

    My thoughts and prayers go out to the Heiskell family. I’m very sorry for your loss.