Paul Harvard Heavner, O. D.

Dr. Paul Harvard Heavner went to be with the Lord at home on Friday, September 1, 2023. He was born on July 17, 1959 to Douglas Balengee Heavner, Jr. and Sarah B. (Thomas) Heavner, Cumberland, MD. 

Dr. Heavner was a graduate of Fort Hill High School, Class of 1977. He received his Bachelor’s of Science in Education from Frostburg State University and a second Bachelor’s of Science in Vision Science at Southern College of Optometry, Memphis, TN. He received his doctorate of Optometry from Southern College of Optometry.

Dr. Heavner lived in Knoxville, Md, and was a practicing optometrist in the Washington County-Frederick County regions, for over 35 years. He was employed at Maryland Vision Institute, formerly Bergman Eye Associates, in Hagerstown, Md. for 20 years. Additionally, Dr. Heavner maintained a private practice in Brunswick, Md - Brunswick Family Vision Center. Dr. Heavner genuinely cared for his patients and will be deeply missed.

Dr. Heavner was a long-time member of Brownsville Church of the Brethren in Brownsville, Md. and was a talented vocalist with a rich baritone voice. His love for music and deep spiritual faith led him to be the lead singer of his family’s Southern Gospel group, The Heavners, for over forty years. He played guitar and sang with the Contemporary Band - Touchdown Sunset - at Brownsville Church of the Brethren for the last ten years. 

Dr. Heavner was a gifted mechanic and could fix almost anything. He loved tinkering with his antique tractors, cars, and any machine he could get his hands on. He enjoyed fishing and golfing. His interest in history was boundless, and coupled with an encyclopedic breadth of knowledge and an impressive ability to recall information. Dr. Heavner took special delight in humor and enjoyed making people laugh. He was a life-long Orioles fan.

Besides his parents, Dr. Heavner is survived by his wife of nearly 39 years, Teri Deneen (Simpson) Heavner. He is also survived by his three sons: William D. Heavner, Bradley T. Heavner, and Robert J. Heavner. He was preceded in death by his older brother, David Douglas Heavner, O.D., who is survived by his wife Stacy, Millsboro, DW. Dr. Heavner leaves behind two brothers, Scott Richard Heavner (Tacie) Cumberland, Md; and Dr. Philip A. Heavner (Marielle Ainsworth), Cooperstown, NY. Nieces and nephews include Megan, Lindsay, Steven (Natalie), Nathan, Brendan, and Maggie. His dear in laws were William Simpson and Mary-Louise Simpson. His closest personal friends were Dr. Patrick Smith and Jerry Iseminger. He will be especially missed by his beloved rescue dogs, Belle, Beau, and Red. 

Friends will be received at the Bast-Stauffer Funeral Home in Boonsboro, MD on Wednesday the 6th of September from 2:00 until 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. A funeral service will be conducted at Brownsville Church of the Brethren on Thursday, September 7th at 11:00 a.m. with Paster Calvin Park officiating. Internment will be in the Brownsville Church of the Brethren Cemetery. 

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Touchdown Sunset at Brownsville Church of the Brethren. Online condolences at www.staufferfuneralhome.com.