Kelly R. Heiner

Kelly R. Heiner of Thayne/Bedford passed away quietly on March 2, 2011 after a courageous battle with a very rare form of cancer. He was born on June 19, 1950 in Afton to C. Delbert and Velda Hunsaker Heiner. He was the fifth of ten children and the second of three sons.

Kelly grew up in Bedford on his parent's dairy farm which he purchased in 1977. Kelly graduated from Star Valley High School after distinguishing himself as a star athlete in football, his group never losing a game in four years.

He attended Brigham Young University and after serving a honorable full-time mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Australia, he graduated with a degree in biological sciences as a secondary school educator.

He married Debra Williams on April 30, 1976 in the Logan LDS Temple and they raised four sons, Derek, Darren, Colby, and Kellen. He worked hard to make his dairy a success and had one of the better dairy herds in the valley striving to be modern and up-to-date with the latest equipment.

Kelly wanted to teach his sons how to work and this is why he ran the farm instead of teaching school. Kelly also served for over 34 years in the Bedford Water and Sewer district Board of Directors and for the last 15 or more years as the chairman of the board.

Kelly dedicated many hours to the Bedford Community to ensure they continued to have quality culinary water without putting a financial burden on the water users with a mill levy or tax increases. He was able to finally complete the 500,000 gallon water storage tank up Strawberry Canyon and the loop line around Muddy String road this supper-two of his biggest project-accomplishments.

Kelly quietly lived his life giving service in his church and to others when he could. He is survived by his wife of 35 years, Debra, and his sons and their wives: Derek and Jen Heiner of Provo, Utah; Darren and Brittany Heiner who is a student and sons of Memphis, Tenn,; Colby and Katie Heiner of Rogers, Ark; and Kellen Heiner who is a student at Brigham Young University in Rexburg, Idaho. Kelly had two grandchildren.

Also surviving Kelly are his sisters Ranae Vanderlinden of Sandy, Utah; Denalee McKenna of Rexburg, Idaho; Patsy Garner of Idaho Falls; Sheila Jenkins of Thayne; Jill Thompson of Bountiful, Utah; Lisa Drollette of Thayne; and a brother Scott Heiner of Green River.

He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother Terry, and a sister Linda.

We so appreciate all the kind things done for us on the farm with the cows while we were gone so much this winter and appreciate all the cards and letters.

Funeral services were held March 5, 2011 in the Thayne First Ward and Kelly was laid to rest in the Bedford Cemetery.