John W. Heyman, business owner

John W. Heyman, 80, of Abington, a business owner and community activist, died of kidney failure Wednesday at Abington Memorial Hospital.

Mr. Heyman was a manufacturer's representative and built modular homes in Montgomery County through his company, Heywood Corp. He also co-owned Delaware Valley Marketing Associates for several years.

In 1984, while running his own business, he became director of sales for Hillside Cemetery Co. in Roslyn. From 1990 to 1994, he was Hillside's president, and since then had been director of public relations.

Mr. Heyman became a real estate broker in 1980 and continued to keep his license current, his son, John, said.

A lifelong resident of Abington Township, Mr. Heyman graduated from Abington High School. During the Korean War, he served in the Navy and was stationed at Willow Grove Naval Air Base. After active duty, he remained in the Navy Reserve until 1958. He had an associate's degree in finance from Pennsylvania State University.

Since 1950, he had been married to Rose Marie Kessler Heyman. The couple met as teenagers at a store in Roslyn where he had a part-time job and she was a customer, their son said.

Mr. Heyman was active with the Roslyn Fire Company for more than 60 years as a volunteer fireman, trustee, and president. He was a former captain of the department's police unit, and had served as vice president and president of the Firemen's Relief Association in Roslyn. He also held several offices with the Abington Township Police Pension Association.

Mr. Heyman was a Mason and was active with many charitable organizations. He had chaired the Montgomery County division of Easter Seals Southeastern Pennsylvania. For 10 years, he chaired the Roslyn Valley Memorial Day Parade and Memorial Service. He was former chairman of the Roslyn Library Advisory Council and the Old York Road Community Easter Sunrise Service.

He was a district justice in Abington Township for several years and was a Republican committeeman for 40 years. He served on the Republican Presidential Task Force, the Pennsylvania Republican Committee, and the National Republican Committee.

In addition to his wife and son, Mr. Heyman is survived by a daughter, Roslyn Mauer; eight grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

Friends may call from 6 to 9 p.m. Monday at Kirk & Nice Suburban Chapel, 333 County Line Rd., Feasterville, and from 10 a.m. Tuesday, followed by a funeral at 11, at Trinity Lutheran Church, Parkview and Lycoming Avenues, Abington. Burial will be in Hillside Cemetery, Roslyn.

Donations may be made to Roslyn Fire Company, 1128 Bradfield Rd., Roslyn, Pa. 19001.