Dean R Heaton passed away March 31, 2022 at his home in Fredonia, Arizona at the age of 91.  Dean was born July 29, 1930 to C. Leonard and Edna Heaton in Kanab, Utah. Dean grew up in Moccasin, Arizona and learned to live the gospel, work hard, and love the outdoors. 

Dean went to school in Moccasin and Fredonia and graduated from Brigham Young High School in Provo, Utah. He served as a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the North Central States Mission.

Dean met Nedra Tueller on a blind date, and they were married for time and eternity on June 27, 1957 in the Mesa Arizona Temple. Dean and Nedra made their home in Mesa, Arizona where he worked in construction and Nedra taught school. 

Dean jumped at the opportunity for adventure and further church service with his young and growing family by serving a construction mission in São Paulo, Brazil from 1964-1969. This time in Brazil meant so much to Dean, Nedra and their family. Dean’s stories of this time in Brazil are priceless.

Upon their return to the States, Dean worked as a contractor in Mesa for a few years, eventually transitioning to work in northern Arizona, beginning with projects for the Kaibab Band of Paiute Indians. In his later years, he supervised several large construction projects for Flagstaff Design & Construction, where he earned a reputation for outworking everyone. He “mostly” retired at age 86 to lovingly care for Nedra. 

Dean will best be remembered for his service to his family, friends, and the community. He served on the Fredonia Town Council for several years and as Mayor from 1988-1990. He teamed with Gene Mitchell digging trenches and installing sewer lines to residences. Dean served tirelessly and endlessly at every opportunity.  

Dean’s favorite church assignment was in the welfare program, where he worked in the church cannery, helping people with food assistance. He loved The Book of Mormon and enjoyed reading it in Portuguese.

His favorite things were his family, including 18 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren. Dean had impressive gardens. He loved to plant more than his family needed, so he had plenty to share. Dean’s jokes were legendary, and he laughed harder than anyone else at his own jokes. He had an incredible memory. He could remember names, dates, and events from his entire life. He was a great story-teller.

Dean was preceded in death by his loving wife Nedra, his parents C. Leonard and Edna Heaton, and his siblings Maxine (Wells) Brady, Clawson (Diane) Heaton, and Millicent (Alan) Turley. He is survived by his siblings Leonard (Yvonne), Lowell (Glenda), Sherwin (Margo), Gary (Karen), Olive (Jim) McElwee, and Claren (Wanda). He will be lovingly remembered by his children Cindy (Russ) Scott, Brenda (Mike) Skaggs, Gini (Bill) Chandler, Lance (Michelle) Heaton, Alison (Scott) Felt, and Brett (Janae) Heaton and his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held Friday, April 8, at 11:00 am (AZ) in the Fredonia Latter-day Saint church. Viewings will be held Thursday evening from 6:00-7:00 pm (AZ) at Mosdell Mortuary in Kanab, Utah and Friday morning from 9:30-10:45 am (AZ) at the Fredonia church. Interment will be in the cemetery at Moccasin, Arizona. Arrangements were made with Mosdell Mortuary.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the “Fredonia Fire Department in Memory of Dean Heaton” are encouraged. Dean cooked pancakes for the department’s annual Fourth of July fundraiser on his iconic grill. Donations can be mailed to the department at PO Box 217, Fredonia AZ 86022.

The family expresses grateful appreciation to Dean’s extended family, close friends, Zions Way hospice staff, and Fredonia 2nd Ward.

A link to the funeral livestream is below:
https://zoom.us/j/92745274070?pwd=d1VGVkI4a0ZENGtvSGxYazVvQWJYQT09