Wayne Dee Heath

On September 3, 1948, Lee Ray Heath and Beverly Lanora Rolfe welcomed their son, Wayne Dee Heath, into the world. Born in Pocatello, Idaho, Wayne spent most of his life in the town where he grew up.

Wayne attended school in Pocatello and graduated from Highland High School in 1967. During his high school years, he was involved in wrestling and had a passion for raising pigeons—an interest he carried throughout his life. It was also in high school that Wayne met his future wife, Wanda Mendonhall, his high school sweetheart.

The couple married on July 31, 1967, shortly after graduation, and together they had three children: Dalina Neel, Jason Heath, and NaCoal Heath. Although Wayne and Wanda later divorced, they remained united by their children.

After high school, Wayne joined the United States Army, beginning his basic training at Fort Lewis, Washington. He completed his helicopter training at Fort Rucker, Alaska, and proudly served in the Vietnam War. During his service, he was stationed at various locations, including Ankhe and DaNang, Vietnam. While in Vietnam, Wayne was awarded the Army Commendation Medal for his valor during the recovery of a downed American helicopter. Wayne, along with ten other soldiers, disregarded their personal safety, repeatedly exposing themselves to sporadic enemy fire to repair the damaged aircraft. Along with being awarded the Army Commendation Medal Wayne was also awarded, The National Defense Service Medal, The NSM Service Medal, the VCM Republic of Veteran’s Campaign Medal, the Expeditionary Service Medal, the M-14 Expert Shooter and Marksman Qualification Badge, and two Oversee Service Bars. Following his service in Vietnam, Wayne was stationed in Hawaii, where he concluded his military career.

In 1979, Wayne married Lori Crowder, and they had one son, Anthony Heath. This marriage also ended in divorce.

Wayne was passionate about the outdoors. He loved hunting, fishing, and camping, and he often two-stepped his way through life with a smile. Some of his most cherished memories were from his fishing trips to the Denali River in Alaska and hunting in Canada. Whenever he had the chance, Wayne spent time outdoors, finding peace and joy in nature. His friends, with whom he shared many hunting and fishing trips, honored his memory by dedicating and placing a plaque in Wayne’s memory. They call this place ‘Wayne’s Mountain’ where they had shared countless adventures and memories. 

Wayne also enjoyed barbecues with family and friends and spending time at the family cabin in Palisades. At the time of his passing, Wayne was dating Patrica Goets Chipman. 

On April 1, 1986, Wayne was out boating near the Palisades Snake River Dam, a place he loved dearly, when he was involved in a boating accident. Despite extensive search efforts, his body was never recovered, leaving his family with unanswered questions and heartache.

In the summer of 2009, Dr. Mitch Jephson discovered a human tibia on a sandbar in the Snake River. After holding onto the bone for two years, Dr. Jephson turned it over to the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office in 2011. In 2012, the bone was transferred to the Bonneville County Sheriff's Office and eventually sent to the University of North Texas. In January 2013, the University of Texas Health Sciences developed a DNA profile from the tibia and entered the data into the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS).

In February 2024, the Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office received confirmation from the University of Texas that the tibia's genetic data matched family DNA samples from Wayne's son and sister. Thanks to advancements in DNA technology, the bone was identified as belonging to Wayne Heath. Unfortunately, after this discovery, the tibia was misplaced, and no further remains were found despite additional search efforts.

Wayne is survived by his children, Dalina (Martin) Neel of Richmond, Utah, Jason (Becky) Heath of Preston, Idaho, NaCoal Heath of Perry, Utah, and Anthony Heath of Pocatello, Idaho. He is also survived by his siblings: Art Heath, Fonda Siros, Deb Hebdon, and Mike (Bobette) Heath, all of Idaho. Wayne leaves behind 10 grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Lee and Beverly Heath, his granddaughter Bethany Mercado, brother-in-law Mike Hebdon, sister-in-law Peggy Heath, and nephew Arthur Heath.

Military honors have been scheduled for 2:00 pm on Saturday, October 19, 2024 at Mountain View Cemetery in Pocatello, Idaho. 

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