Ralph Heiner

Ralph Schwab Heiner, 85, died Dec. 5, 2011 at his home in Bedford after a lengthy illness. Ralph was born March 22, 1926 in Afton, the oldest child of Carl Gottfied and Frances Lottie Schwab Heiner. Three more boys were added to the family; Lloyd, Paul, and Carl. Ralph was five years old when his brother, Paul died.

Ralph attended grade school in a four-room schoolhouse in Bedford and high school in Afton. His youth was spent learning the value of work on his family farm.

Following graduation, Ralph was drafted into the United States Navy. He was 18 years old. He was assigned to a construction battalion in the Philippines Islands. He always had deep feelings of reverence and admirations for the flag and the country it represented.

On June 4, 1947, Ralph married Gwen Robinson of Freedom in the Salt Lake LDS Temple. They were married by president Joseph Fielding Smith, President of the Salt Lake Temple. Ralph and Gwen bought a farm in Bedford and raised four boys as they cleared and worked the land and operated a dairy.

Membership in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was of great importance to Ralph as he served in many callings. Many note the time he spent as First Counselor in the Bedford Bishopric, as a Patriarch in the Thayne Wyoming Stake, and as a Sealer in the Idaho Falls Temple.

Ralph and Gwen served a full time mission in the Independence Missouri mission. Ralph was faithful, dedicated, and loyal to his church responsibilities and family.

Ralph is survived by his wife Gwen; his four sons; LaDell (Barb) of Freedom; Hal (Jann) of Freedom; Him (Lucinda) of Bedford; and Dick (Diana) of Bedford; 29 grandchildren; 55 great grandchildren; and his brother Carl (Darlene) of Ammon, Idaho.

Ralph is proceeded in death by his parents; brothers, Paul and Lloyd; a grandson and a great grandson. He is buried in the Bedford Cemetery.