St Andrew's Uniting Church was packed to overflowing as hundreds of mourners recalled Mr Sutton as a passionate and cheeky friend who would display his larrikin streak as often as he could.

Amid the tears came laughter as friends relived the life of Mr Sutton and the antics that made him not only a larger than life character, but a beloved friend.

"He was a challenge right from the start, but he was always a joy, and he always kept us on our toes," Matthew Leonard said in his moving eulogy.

"He enjoyed a good, heated discussion and even if he was wrong he would still try to prove himself right, especially in the Ford versus Holden debates he loved."

Mr Leonard told of a young man whose short life was filled with a passion for computers, army cadets and particularly food.

However, Mr Leonard said that out of the tragic circumstances came a shining light.

"Heath had one wish in life, and that was to meet his Nan and Pop Whitby (in Heaven), and now his wish has come true," he said.

A leader from Heath's beloved cadet unit spoke of his enormous contribution to the group during his five years as a member.

"He was a great asset to our unit and always demonstrated great leadership. He upheld esprit de corp. No matter what situation Heath was in he was able to smile and get the job done," he said.

"You could never fault his heart."

Father Brian Murphy said Mr Sutton's tragic departure should serve as a lesson for others to live the fullest lives they can.

"He was such a young man, what could his potential have been? We have all have to remember this in our own lives," he said.

Father Murphy said Heath had the characteristics of a "good, strong man" in abundance.

"Trusted, loyal, humorous, honest, hardworking, compassionate, humble and respected," Fr Murphy said in his description of Heath.

"He had the strength to express his emotions."

Heath's close friend Felicity Thompson recalled the significance Heath had, not only on her life, but on everybody's who knew him.

"You were like an angel sent down from heaven to make us smile when times get tough," she said. "Where would be today if we didn't have the love and caring from a true friend."

A guard of honour was formed by Heath's cadet unit as his closest friends carried him from the Church to Celine Dion's ballad My Heart Will Go On.

A release of balloons at the Western Districts Memorial Park, where Health was laid to rest, formed a fitting final tribute for a man who friends said will always be remembered as truly a free spirit.