Enterprise, Utah - Heber Reed Staheli, our husband, father, grandpa, brother and friend, at age 87, rode off into the sunset to greet loved ones on the other side on October 26, 2010. He was born in Enterprise, Utah, on May 8, 1923, to loving parents, Ray and Thelma Staheli. He had a fun and carefree childhood growing up with his brother, five sisters and many cousins that are dear to his heart. He attended and graduated from Enterprise High School, where he was involved in sports. He particularly loved softball and received many awards and trophies. He served his country in World War II and was one of the few surviving World War II veterans. He was wounded in the shoulder on Bougainville Island and later presented with a purple heart for his courage and bravery. He instilled in his family his great love, loyalty and respect for his country and flag. After returning home, his close friend and war buddy, Voi Sorensen, introduced him to a cute Orderville girl, Ardath Esplin. Following a short courtship, they were married February 27, 1946, in the St. George Temple. They were blessed with one son and four daughters. He learned the love of hard work, farming and ranching from his father at a very young age. There''s no place on Earth he would rather have been, than his farm and Ox Valley, where he was still living his dream farming and ranching. Some of the fondest memories of our family are the deer hunts, where we told and retold hunting tales around the campfire. It was the annual trip we planned for and looked forward to all year long . The cowboy life style was ingrained in him and where his love for horses began. As a cowboy, he knew that life had a purpose, which was directly linked to a relationship with his Maker. It was not something to be discovered from fortune, power or fame. He was put here to be a caretaker of God''s creation. A steward of the land, livestock and people he loved. He was a lifetime member of the Enterprise American Legion Post #80 and helped to start the Enterprise Legion Rodeo. He raised the famous "Staheli Bob," the well known bucking horse that was almost impossible to ride. After the death of his wife, Ardath, he was left with a young family to raise. Some time later he met and married Ida Merle Mitchell, on December 9, 1972, who has been a blessing in all of our lives. Her six children were then added to the family to make a total of 11. He was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, where he served in many callings. He is survived by his wife, Ida Merle; his children: Sherri (Marlo) Reber, Larry (Sandra) Staheli, Darla (Sheldon) Mitchell, Delanie (Jim) Cole, Valerie (Dale) Perkins; his step-children: Cleon (Mary) Frandsen, RoLana (Dan) Marshall, Marvin Frandsen, VaNae (Dave) Barlow, Shaun (Nadine) Frandsen, Troy (Jennifer) Frandsen; 44 grandchildren and 55 great-grandchildren; his sisters: Roma (Darrel) Bunker, Jane (Wesley) Hunt, and LaRae (Gary) Farnsworth. He was preceded in death by his parents: Ray and Thelma; his wife: Ardath; his brother, Merrill; and his sisters, Alta and Emmarene. Funeral services will be held Saturday, October 30, 2010 at 11:00 a.m. at the Enterprise LDS Stake Center, 80 South Center Street, Enterprise, Utah. Visitations will be held Friday, October 29th from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Metcalf Mortuary, 288 West St. George Blvd. and on Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at the Stake Center, prior to services. Interment will be at the Enterprise City Cemetery. Arrangements entrusted to the care of Metcalf Mortuary, (435) 673-4221. Dad, we love you. Saddle up and enjoy the ride