David Edgar Heaton, president of the Heaton-BeGole Undertaking Co. , was born in St. Joseph, Mo., April 17, 1855, and was the son of David Johnson Heaton and Lucinda (King) Heaton, who started the business in 1842 as furniture and undertaking. David J. Heaton, his father, was known as the oldest undertaker in the United States. The business continued as such until 1859 when it was destroyed by fire. Since that time it has been continued as an undertaking business only. In 1872 David E. Heaton became an apprentice in his father's business and in 1874 purchased an interest in the same. In 1881 he purchased his father's interest in the business and it was continued as the D. E. Heaton Undertaking Company until January 1911, when he incorporated his business under the name of Heaton BeGole Undertaking Company, and it continues as such. David E. Heaton married on the 5th day of October, 1882 in Tecumseh, Neb., Miss Mollie H. Thurman. The family consists of two daughters, Hazel E. (Mrs. Geo. C. Gordon) and Bessie D. (Mrs. J. O. Wilson) both of Kansas City, Missouri. Politically Mr. Heaton is a Democrat, and has served as president of the Monroe Club, the central organization of his party. He is also president of the St. Joseph Auditorium Co., and has always been active in any public enterprise worthy of support. He is a member of the various branches of the Masonic order, and also belongs to the Elks, Odd Fellows and a number of the fraternal organizations.