John Heatherly, age 67 of Yankton, S.D. passed away on Thursday, March 19, 2009 at Avera Sacred Heart Hospital, Yankton. 
John was born on Aug. 8, 1941. His parents, George and Corrine (Vinateri) Heatherly made their home in Lancaster, Ohio where John graduated from Fairmont High School in 1959. He entered the United States Navy in 1959 and served honorably as a gunner and crossed the equator numerous times while traveling the world until 1962. He married Ruth Crnkovic on Feb. 22, 1964 in Fairmont, Minn.  Later while raising his two daughters, John and Ruth were business owners of the Sterling Motel in Austin. The family then moved to Yankton in 1976 where they became the owners of the Ranch House and River City Café.  He then worked at Hy-Vee and retired in 2006.  At the time of his death, he was co-owner of KaDoo Express in Yankton.
John was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather.  The family would like to thank the fourth floor nurses, ICU nurses, and doctors at Avera Sacred Heart Hospital, Yankton.
John’s memory is cherished by his wife Ruth Heatherly, Yankton; two daughters: Mia (Heatherly) Hurst of Yankton and Rae (Heatherly) (John) Schwartz, Woodbury, Minn.; grandchildren: Cassie (Schwartz) McCane, Tyler Nelson, Haley Nelson, and Kady Schwartz; great-granddaughter Mahlia McCane; one brother Larry (Sandra) of Arizona; four sisters Wilma Amspaugh, Mary Water, Betty Wharton and Shirley Marshall all of Ohio.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers, Harold, George and Harrison Lescalleet; and sisters, Donna Erwin and Helen Rowles.
At John’s request cremation has taken place.  Visitations will be from 4 to 6 p.m., Saturday, March 21, 2009 at the Opsahl-Kostel Funeral Home and Crematory, Yankton.
The family wishes for memorials to be directed to: The Benedictine Health Foundation to be used for the Avera Sacred Heart Pulmonary Unit and Dialysis, 1000 West Fourth St. Suite 14, Yankton, SD 57078.