David R. Heise

David Robert Heise, 78, of Clarksburg, West Virginia, passed away peacefully at home on August 1, 2025.

He was born on June 13, 1947, at Centinela Hospital in Inglewood, California, to the late Harry W. Heise and Lenora C. Hardy Heise of Cleveland, OH.

David proudly served in the United States Marine Corps from August 8, 1966, to March 5, 1970. During his time in service, he served with distinction in Vietnam for one year. He was awarded the Vietnam Service Medal with four stars, the Combat Action Ribbon, and the Meritorious Unit Commendation, among other honors. Though he began training with Marine Recon, he was reassigned before completing the program.
During his service in Vietnam, David served primarily as a 2111 Small Arms Repairman in an artillery battery. He was also selected for a top-secret mission to locate concealed North Vietnamese artillery. David and his squad discovered enemy weapons hidden in caves within a valley between two mountains. The Viet Cong had mounted the artillery on railroad tracks, allowing them to roll out the weapons to fire and then quickly retreat them back into the caves, effectively evading counterattacks. Although U.S. bombers and artillery had targeted the area repeatedly, the hidden sites remained untouched until David’s mission. Thanks to the squad’s successful return and the precise coordinates they provided, B-52 bombers were able to destroy the enemy position, an achievement that stands as a testament to David’s courage and commitment. In recognition of this operation, David and his unit were awarded the Navy Unit Commendation Ribbon, presented for exceptional heroism by a Marine Corps unit engaged in action against the enemy.

After receiving an honorable discharge, David went on to study at the Theological Seminary of the Reformed Episcopal Church in Philadelphia, PA, from 1973 to 1975, as well as Philosophy and Economics at Temple University from 1975 to 1980.

David started his career with the United States Postal Service on Market Street in Philadelphia, PA, across from the 30th Street Station in 1980. He continued his career at the Clarksburg Post Office in Clarksburg, WV, until his retirement in 2013, after 33 years of dedicated service.

David’s retirement was short-lived, and in 2016, he obtained his Class A CDL license and served as a School Bus Driver for Harrison County School District, and then as a Driver for Centra-Central WV Transit Authority until his second retirement in August 2024.
For 41 years, David was a devoted member of Reformation Orthodox Presbyterian Church in Morgantown, WV, and a born-again believer who lived out his faith in quiet strength and kindness.

David was an avid reader and owned an extensive library of books in his family home. As of December 2024, David had relied on audiobooks as an alternative to his daily Kindle reading. David loved a comfy couch, a good movie with his family, his dog Chewie, and any dessert.

David’s greatest joy came from the love and support of his wife, supporting his children, and delighting in the lives of his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Caryl Ann Lembke Heise; his ten children: Kathleen Heise, George A. Roy, Jr., Janene Pomeroy, Suzanne (John) Kovar, Abraham (Crystal) Heise, Abigail (David) Mollohan, Brenda Heise, Christiane (Phillip) Riggs, Benaiah (Kayleigh) Heise, and Caleb (Emily) Heise. David was a devoted and present grandfather to 32 grandchildren and 26 great-grandchildren who knew him as Pap, Pap-Pap, Grandpa, and Grappy
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David was the eldest of six children. He is survived by his siblings, who will cherish his memory: Alan Heise, Katherine (David) Fry, Steven (Kathleen) Heise, Elizabeth (Timothy) Kent, and Richard Heise.

David was preceded in death by his parents, Harry W. Heise and Lenora C. Hardy Heise, his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Frederick Herman Lembke and Myrtle Sylvia Olson Lembke, his sister-in-law Patricia Rose Davis Heise Scritchfield Lewis, his son-in-law Eddie Pomeroy, and his granddaughter Hailey Marie Heise.

David and his family would like to send their love and very special thanks to Dr. Thomas F. Hogan, MD, Marra Bodkin, Seth Holler, his son Benaiah Heise, and the staff of WVU Cancer Institute and J.W. Ruby Memorial Hospital in Morgantown, WV; the doctors, nurses, staff and volunteers at the Hunter Holmes McGuire Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Richmond, VA; and the doctors, nurses and case workers at VCU Health at Home by Bayada and VCU Health/Hospice at Home by Bayada in Richmond, VA.

Family and friends may call at the Amos Carvelli Funeral Home, 201 Edison Street, Nutter Fort on Friday, August 8, 2025 from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm, where funeral services will be held at 12:00 pm with Pastor Jonathan Hutchison officiating.

Interment will follow in the WV National Cemetery at 2:00 pm where full military honors will be accorded.

Expressions of sympathy may be extended to the family at www.amoscarvelli.com. A service of Amos Carvelli Funeral Home.