The Heppner Family Tree |
Mervyn Norman Heppner |
26/7/1929 – 3/1/2001
Mervyn was born on the family farm at Frankton on the 26th of July 1929, delivered by Műtta or Granny Gogel, the local midwife; and was baptised at the Dutton Congregational Church in the 14th of September 1929.
Mervyn walked about a mile across paddocks with big brother Frank, in all types of weather to attend the little Frankton School, taught by Miss Herriot. This school closed after 2 years and from then on, all schooling, including Sunday School was done by correspondence.
Merv particularly enjoyed the Sunday School lesson which he completed with a lot of pride and effort and won many prizes.
At 12 Mervyn was needed to help work the family farm and spent his days harvesting, filling wheat bags and driving cattle and sheep to the creek for water, among many other things. After a full days work Merv then spent the evenings completing his homework, often falling asleep in the attempt.
Mervyn was always busy, whether it was chopping piles of firewood for his Mum; helping fill the 100 gallon house tank at the creek; or just have a bit of fun playing “coconut shy” with rotten eggs, or tormenting the farm cats, by taking them for a little walk down to the end of the paddock, dropping the cat and encouraging the dogs to chase it back to the sheds.
Merv made himself a little pocket money by going out night and morning, setting and checking rabbit traps, and selling the dried furskins.
At 15 Mervyn left the family farm to work up in the Riverland working in the grape growing industry. He lived with his Uncle Eddie, a gentle man who treated him like a son.
While living in the Riverland Merv met Roma Mattner through correspondence, he had many pen pals at that time, and began courting Roma.
In 1950, at 21 Merv made the decision to make a new start in Whyalla at the BHP, beginning work there on the 30/10/1950. Shortly afterward Merv bought the family home on Hockey Street and married Roma on September 29th 1951 at Auburn, Roma’s home town.
Mervyn began work in the old blacksmith shop a the BHP, before moving to the Blast Furnace where he worked as a Stoveman for over 20 years. In the early 1980’s Merv moved to the Boilerhouse where he remained until his retirement in 1994. Merv collected the nickname “Shag” from his workmates, which he said was because he sweated so much at work that his clothes would be wringing wet, so he was described as being as wet as a Shag on a Rock. Merv was very pleased with his service awards, which recognised his 40 plus years of service to the company.
Mervyn and Roma had three children, Marilyn, Stephen and Susan. Stephen was born with a hole in the heart and needed extensive surgery and treatment in Adelaide. Dad was kept busy doing extra jobs such as pruning and fishing for market to provide extra income for the many trips to Adelaide and the doctors.
Merv loved the beach and his fishing, and owned 3 boats during his time in Whyalla. This love of the ocean never waned right up until his death.
Merv got his first car in 1968 and of course had to sit for a driver’s license, which included reverse parking. To practice this he used to use beer bottles with long sticks standing in them for markers. Often Marilyn was watching and stood up the ones that went over. With Merv’s determination it wasn’t too long before he had that license.
From 1992 Merv’s health began to slip leading to his collapse in 1996 following Stephen’s death in April 1996. Merv was relocated to Adelaide to attend Renal Dialysis 3 times per week. During this time he unselfishly encouraged Renal Doctors to try different treatments with him, using him as a guinea pig to help others to follow.
Mervyn was able to re-establish the close bonds he had with his family which he had as a child, and spent Christmas with his beloved sister Beryl in 1999. This was shortly after learning he had lung cancer.
Throughout his life, and particularly in the last years his faith in the Lord always sustained him.
Mervyn will be greatly missed by all who knew him.
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Last revised: Feb 8, 2010.