David Elmo Heathcott

David Elmo Heathcott, 83, of Bluffton, SC, previously of Kenosha, WI, passed away comfortably in hospice care Monday, July 1, in Mt. Pleasant, SC.

David was born Jan. 22, 1941, in Evansville, IN. He was a good student in high school and played varsity football, starting as quarterback at Mater Dei High School his senior season. After high school, he briefly attended St. Meinrad Seminary in Indiana to become a Catholic priest. He left the seminary to go to college, where at Indiana University he received an undergraduate degree in nuclear physics and then earned an MBA degree.

After college, he worked briefly for the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) in Washington, D.C., before moving back to Waukegan and settled into a 30-year career at Abbott Laboratories, where he designed and managed computer systems, mainly for the hospital products division. Upon his retirement, David moved to Kenosha and enjoyed his time by playing guitar, tending to his garden, reading and spending time with family. 

David is survived by his son, Brent (Jill), his former wife Barbara Kamerer (Don), brother Michael and sister Mary Lyn (Joe) Clements. He is also survived by five grandchildren: Laurna, Madison, Garrett, Gabriella, and Elliana, as well as several nieces and nephews.

David is preceded in death by his parents, John Elmo and Mary Rose, as well his daughter, Brenna.

A funeral Mass will be held Wednesday, July 17, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Gregory the Great Catholic Church, Bluffton. A wake service will be held Monday, July 29, from 5-8 p.m. at Warren Funeral Home in Gurnee, IL. Interment will be private.