Heaton graduated from
Lakewood High School in 1934 and
John Carroll University in 1938. After graduation, he worked at John Carroll University as the publicity director and in 1942, he joined The Plain Dealer. He served in the
United States Army from December 1942 to November 1945. He was initially a private. He served in Germany during
World War II and was the recipient of the
Bronze Star Medal. ==Bibliography==