St. George, Utah – Gaylen Corry Heppler, age 94, passed away on May 21, 2022, in St. George, Utah and was reunited with his sweetheart Anna. He was born in Cedar City, Utah to Rue Franklin and Marva Corry Heppler on April 27, 1928. He was the first born and big brother to Jerry, Wayne, Marlynn, and Jack. He married the love of his life, Anna Nelson on December 20, 1950, in Cedar City and they were later sealed in the Logan Temple with their four children on April 11, 1963.

Gaylen was raised in Beaver, Utah and attended Beaver High School. He joined the Army and received an honorable discharge in 1948 and went on to the play basketball at B.A.C Junior College of Cedar City (now SUU) and was proud of his nickname "Buzz." Oh, the stories he could tell of his playing days. He later graduated from the University of Utah in 1952.

With homes in Pocatello, Idaho Falls, Salt Lake, and Roy, they moved their family to St. George in 1964. He opened his business, Gaylen Heppler Insurance Adjuster. He helped establish Sandstone Terrace Subdivision on the Red Hill with friends Clark Staheli and Fenton Terry and stayed in the home they built in 1970 until mom's passing in 2018.

Gaylen was a loving father and an amazing "gramps" to six grandkids and four great grandchildren and always wanted to know where they were so he could be there. He was their biggest fan. In his day, he was an avid golfer and proudly displayed his Titleist Hole in One Award. "We are pleased to present golf's ultimate accolade in recognition of the rarest of accomplishments, sought by all golfers, but attained only by a fortunate few." He loved to watch the Utah Jazz when they were winning but missed a lot of good come-back from behind wins because he changed the channel too soon. You could always find him watching sports on TV or sitting on the couch with Anna listening to the greats as in Herb Albert and the Tijuana Brass, Frank Sinatra, or Glen Campbell.

Gaylen is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and held several callings. He and Anna served in the Genealogy mission here in St. George.

Gaylen is survived by his children: Kim of Salt Lake City, UT; Mark (Leslie) of St. George, UT; Bruce (Traci) Heppler of Atlanta, GA; and Tracy (Dean) Winningham of St. George, UT; grandchildren: Chasi Winningham, Austin (Kaitlyn) Winningham, Macrae (Chantelle) Heppler, Haidan Heppler, Zak (Kaylee) Heppler, and Moriah (Karson) Meyerick; great grandchildren: Nixon, Arrow and Hatch Winningham, and Coco Rae Heppler; his sister, Marlynn Smith; and brother, Jack (Julie) Heppler.

He is preceded in death by his dear sweet Anna, parents, siblings, and his granddaughter, Chersti Anna Heppler.

The family wishes to extend their thanks to the staff at Spring Garden Assisted Living and Canyon Home Care & Hospice, especially his home health nurse and friend, Trish Johnson for the thoughtful care of Gaylen for the three and a half years.

Funeral Services will be held Wednesday, May 25, 2022, at 11:00 a.m. at Metcalf Mortuary Chapel, 288 St. George Boulevard, St. George, Utah 84770. A visitation will be held Wednesday, prior to the services, from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at the mortuary. Interment will be in Tonaquint Cemetery, 1777 South Dixie Drive, St. George, Utah.

Gaylen Heppler Funeral Service Program

Live streaming webcast is available by clicking on the on broadcast at the bottom. Webcast will remain on-line for 90 days.