Alvin Arnold Heller, 96
Alvin Arnold Heller, son of Henry and Frances (Gubbels) Heller, was born on May 21, 1926 in Portsmouth, Iowa. He was baptized and confirmed at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Portsmouth, where he remained a lifetime member. He attended grade and high school in Portsmouth, graduating with the class of 1944. Alvin enlisted into the United States Navy on May 16, 1944 serving his country honorably for two years and two days during WWII.
On November 3, 1948, Alvin was united in marriage to Ethel Stessman at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Panama, Iowa. Four children were born to this union: Patricia, Karen, Ronald, and John.
Alvin started working at a young age delivering papers and at Portsmouth Grocery Store. He worked for H.B. Heller & Sons until 1964, when he started Heller Gas & Oil. He retired in 1998, but still remained very active.
Alvin served as usher, Eucharistic Minister, Reader, Adult Altar Server, on the Parish Council, and Annual Picnic Committee. He was a member of Knights of Columbus, Shelby County VFW, Forty and Eight in Council Bluffs, Iowa. For 77 consecutive years Alvin was a member of the Portsmouth American Legion, he has a card for every year. He served on a local, county, and state level and as 7th District Commander.
Alvin died on Tuesday, October 25, 2022 at Myrtue Medical Center in Harlan, Iowa, attaining the age of ninety-six years, five months, and four days. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife Ethel on September 13, 2015, siblings Elaine Buckley, Mary Helen Finken, Rose Ann Schnuettgen, and Darlene Kenkel.
He is survived by his children Pat (Ralph) Knipstein of Apple Valley, California; Karen (Tom) Ortner of Yuba City, California; Ron (Dana) Heller of Alpharetta, Georgia; John (Lana) Heller of Harlan, Iowa; grandchildren Melissa Lance of San Marcos, California; Adam (Julie) Ortner of Roseville, California; Travis (Meghan) Heller of Canton, Georgia; Eric Heller of Denver, Colorado; great grandchildren Maddy Callicott, Emily Callicot, Claire Ortner, Elise Ortner, Alex Lance, Luca Heller, and Landon Heller; step grandchildren Drew (Jen) Peterson, Faith Peterson; step great grandchildren Jacob and Emmie Overmann; siblings Rich Heller of Portsmouth, Iowa; Bonnie Thielen of Denver, Colorado; Phil Heller of Portsmouth, Iowa; Veral Heller of Green Valley, Arizona; nieces and nephews; other family members and friends.
A 10:00 AM Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated by Rev. Michael Antoh on Monday, October 31, 2022 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Portsmouth, Iowa. Bob Heller, Drew Peterson, Alan Thielen, Rog Heller, Steve Schnuettgen, and Rick Gaul served as casket bearers. Military Rites were provided by Portsmouth American Legion Post No. 547 at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Portsmouth, Iowa.
Pauley Jones Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.