Heidi Bayou Wheeler

Heidi was the heart and glue of her family - truly everyone's everything. She lived life rooted in faith as a devoted follower of Christ, and she carried that love and grace into everything she did. A proud military spouse and successful business owner, Heidi was strong, selfless, and endlessly giving. She found joy in life's simple pleasures, especially reading and gardening, and she created a home filled with warmth, laughter, and unconditional love.

She is preceded in death by her father, Joel Benjamin Kirtley; stepfather, Bill Metcalf; her sister, Shannon Cossel; and her in-laws, William and Etta Wheeler.

Heidi is survived by her loving husband and best friend of 52 years, Jim Wheeler; her mother, Kittie Joe Metcalf; her siblings, Dwana Kirtley, Star Black, Joel Kirtley (Frena Kirtley), and Henri Ballow; and her two daughters, Dawnde Jarrell (David Jarrell) and Amber Aleman.

She was a proud grandmother to Breauna Holt, Sierra Miller, Drevin Cook, Adam Cook, Autumn Phoutharansy, Aiden Aleman, and Sophia Aleman, as well as a cherished great-grandmother to six "littles," as she lovingly called them.

Heidi will be remembered for her gentle spirit, her unwavering faith, and the way she poured love into everyone around her. Her legacy lives on through her family and all who were blessed to know her.

Visitation services will be held on Thursday, April 2, from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Brown Funeral Home, 306 College Street, Elizabethtown, KY.