A joyous reunion in Heaven occurred on February 28, 2025, as our beloved mother, grandma and great-grandma (Omi), Ingeburg Margarita Hergert Heaton, peacefully graduated from this life.

Born on October 25,1933, in San Salvador, Inge was the only child of Otto Max Hergert and Maria Margarita de Las Mercedes Castellanos Hergert. When she was 15-months-old her mother unexpectedly passed away leaving her father to take care of her alone. At the age of six, her father moved her to Germany, where she lived with her aunt for a time. Otto met Martha Johanne Haberlein and soon married in June of 1943. Inge loved her new “Mutti” (mother). She was always kind to her and raised Inge as her own.

During World War II, Inge’s family lived in Schneeberg. When she was 11 years old intense combat reached their town. Despite the trauma she experienced, she was able to share her stories with many. Years after the war, she made the courageous decision to flee East Germany, leaving behind her family and all she knew to seek freedom in Heidelberg.

When she was 21-years-old Inge married Herbert Schoeninger in Heidelberg, and together they welcomed their son, Ingo. A few years into their marriage, missionaries from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints knocked on their door, introducing them to the gospel of Jesus Christ. Both she and Herbert embraced the faith and were baptized. Not long after, Herbert passed away unexpectedly, leaving Inge to raise Ingo on her own.

In April 1961, Inge met her sweetheart, Derryll Leo Heaton, an American soldier stationed in Frankfurt. They courted for a short time and when he was discharged from the Army, he brought Inge and four-year-old Ingo home with him to Moccasin, Arizona. They married on September 25,1961, and a year later, on September 29,1962, they were sealed for time and all eternity in the St. George Utah Temple, with Ingo and their newborn daughter, Margarita.

Moccasin was and will always be home for Inge and Derryll. She loved the people of Moccasin.

The people became her family. After raising her two children, she worked at Moccasin Elementary for 16 years until her retirement. Later, Inge and Derryll served a full-time mission together in the Billings Montana Mission. In 2013, they moved to Coalville, Utah, to be closer to their family.

Despite the many challenges that Inge faced throughout her life she was positive, happy, loving and hard working. Her favorite color was white because it is pure. She was famous for her donuts served at Watermelon Days. She loved baking cookies and serving others which often came hand in hand. She held many callings in church, but she especially loved her callings with the youth. Her love for her Heavenly Father was real and He was part of her everyday life. She was a true disciple of Jesus Christ, who she loved and knew well.

Inge welcomed people from around the world into her home with open arms. She loved having company and visitors. As soon as she got off the phone with the person who asked to visit she was busy creating a meal plan for their whole stay.

Inge was a friend to ALL. It didn’t matter who you were or how life’s circumstances had shaped you, she was your friend. She made friends everywhere she went whether it was at the grocery store, church or a trailhead bench. She could strike up a conversation with anyone and frequently exchanged phone numbers to stay in touch. Many of her lifelong friendships began this way.

She was preceded in death and joyfully reunited with her sweetheart, Derryll Leo Heaton; first husband, Herbert Schoeninger; parents, Otto Max Hergert and Maria Margarita de Las Mercedes Castellanos Hergert; stepmother, Martha Johanne Haberlein; and great-granddaughter, Kenna Steffan.

Left to cherish her memory are her son, Ingo Herbert Heaton (Lori); daughter, Margarita Richins (Melvin); brother-in-law, McKay Heaton (Audrey); 10 grandchildren; and 17 great-grandchildren.

We would like to thank Enhabit Home Health for taking such good care of Inge in her final months. Especially her sweet nurses Stephanie and MaryAnn.

Viewings for Inge Heaton will be held in Utah and Arizona. At the Coalville Utah Stake Center on Thursday, March 6, from 6-7:30 p.m., in Arizona on Friday, March 7, from 6-7:30 p.m. and prior to the funeral on Saturday, March 8, at 10 a.m., at the church in Moccasin, Ariz. Her funeral will follow at 11:30 a.m.

She will be laid to rest next to her sweetheart Derryll in Moccasin, Ariz.