Claire F. Heaton, 78, of Elkhart, Ind. passed away Feb. 12, 2011, surrounded by her family at her home. The daughter of Harry G. and Mary C. McCabe Welsh, Claire was born Nov. 1, 1932 in Philadelphia, PA. While serving in the U.S. Marines, she met G. Norman Heaton, whom she married on Valentine's Day 1953, in Cherry Point, N.C. Claire filled her life with children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, to whom she provided love, an attentive ear, words of motivation … and always something to eat. She retired from Bank One in 1996 as Vice President and Trust Officer. She spent countless hours during her retirement volunteering for the Elkhart Jazz Festival and Toys for Tots. Survivors include her husband, Norm; daughter Teresa Michael Fournier of Swanton, VT; sons Michael Kathy Spencer Heaton of Indianapolis, Ind., Robert Heleen Heaton of Grosse Pointe, Mich., Andrew Heaton of Elkhart, Ind., and Paul Heaton of Traverse City, Mich.; sisters Alma Bauer of Philadelphia, PA., and Ann Baker of Benton, IA; 13 grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren. Claire's son David Arlene Heaton preceded her in death, along with her brother and seven sisters. Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. Monday, Feb. 14, 2011, at Hartzler-Gutermuth-Inman Funeral Home. Services will follow at 7 p.m., with the Rev. Kevin Tarsa officiating. A private interment will be held at a later date in the veterans section of Prairie Street Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Toys for Tots Foundation 56631 Sapphire Blvd.Elkhart, IN 46516 or the Center for Hospice and Palliative Care.