MATTHEW HEARON TITUSVILLE

Matthew Leonard Hearon, loving husband, father, grandfather and soldier, went to his home in Heaven on Friday morning, December 26, 2008, after a long struggle with illness. He was 74.

Hearon retired from the U.S. Army after over 20 years of service to our country, but the military never really left him. A decorated Vietnam War veteran, he remained a proud member of his Americal division and the VFW. At home, he applied his military-honed sense of detail to every thing, from meticulous model planes to precisely decorated Christmas trees. After the Army, Hearon eventually retired from Lockheed / Rockwell as a quality control inspector at Kennedy Space Center.

He could often be found out fishing, cheering on the Buffalo Bills, or helping his children and grandchildren with their school projects. Throughout his military service and extensive world travel, Hearon was never without the love of his life, his wife Jo.

Hearon was predeceased by his mother and stepfather, Elizabeth and George Fuldner. He is survived by his wife of 47 years Lily "Jo" Hearon; son, Matthew Hearon of Edgewater; daughter, Tracey M. Hearon of Colorado; daughter, Sheila B. Holloway (Rusty) of Panama City, FL; son, Richard J. Hearon of Titusville; daughter, Liza M. Hearon; grandchildren, Carol Barela, and Samantha and Emma Hearon.

A visitation will be held from 5 - 7 p.m. Monday, December 29th at North Brevard Funeral Home. Services will be 10 a.m., Tuesday, December 30th in the funeral home chapel. Please sign Mr. Hearons guestbook at www.northbre vardfuneralhome.com.

" Our country is mourning, for a soldier died today."