WESLACO,TX.— Dick D. Heller

March 19, 2010 4:00 AM

80 son of Dick D. and Martha (Grant) Heller, was born May 22, 1929 in Decatur, Indiana and died March 17, 2010 at John Knox Village Nursing center in Weslaco,Tx.

Dick was raised in Indianapolis, Indiana and attended Greenbriar Military in Lewisburg,West Virginia for 2 years and graduated from Decatur High school in 1947. He attended Indiana University for three and one half years. He enlisted in the U.S. Army and was sent to Ausburg,Germany.

For awhile he worked at the family newspaper in Decatur, Indiana.. He then joined the U.S. Air Force and studied Russian at Syracuse University in New York and was sent to Japan. Due to the death of his father, Dick returned to Decatur after six months, and became publisher of the Decatur Daily Democrat for 29 years.

He is survived by his wife E Jane Drew Heller, whom he married in 1957. Also surviving is their one son; Thomas Heller.

Due to health reasons he and Jane moved to Mission, TX. He was an avid birder. He volunteered at the Santa Ana Wildlife Refuge for 12 years. He was active in local historical societies in Mission. Having served on the Advisory Board at the Mission Library, University of Texas Pan American Library, Vice President of the Frontera Audubon Society, President of the Ornithological Society for two years, Chairman of the Mission Historic Preservation Commission and the Mission Main Street Program, Past President of the Starr County Historical Society and Past Secretary, Vice President and President of the Hidalgo County Historical Society.

Dick was a Life member and former Board member of the Indiana Historical Society and a Life member of the Texas Historical Association. He was a Lions Club member in Mission and Weslaco, TX. Dick was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Weslaco.

A private interment will be held at the Rio Grande Valley State Veterans Cemetery in Mission,TX at a later date.

Arrangements are under the direction of McCaleb Funeral Home 900 w. 4th Weslaco, TX 78596 (956) 968-7533

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