John Heller

John Henry Heller was born October 18, 1936, to Leo and Mildred (Weber) Heller in Dunlap, Iowa. He was raised in Dunlap and graduated from St. Joseph Catholic High School in 1955. John drove a rock truck before purchasing the Dunlap Oil Company from Dean Honaker in 1960. John married Sharon Kay Thiessen on June 12, 1971, in Ashland, Nebraska. John and Sharon built Hellers' Town and Country convenience store in 1983. John also helped Kenneth Barrett at the Barrett Funeral Home and continued helping when the funeral home changed hands and became Fouts Funeral Home.

John was a true Dunlap supporter. He was a member of St. Patrick's Catholic Church and a 50 year member of the Knights of Columbus. He played a significant role on the Dunlap Fire and Rescue Department for 47 years. He was an EMT and chief for several years. In 2006, he was inducted into the IEMSA Hall of Fame. For several years he was a delight to the young and old alike as he took on the role of Santa Claus. John also enjoyed riding his motorcycle in his younger years.

John died on Friday, August 31, 2007, at Dunlap Nursing and Rehab Center in Dunlap, Iowa at the age of 70 years, 10 months, 13 days.

John was preceded in death by his parents; one infant brother; and his brother, Mike in 1970. He is survived by his wife, Sharon Heller of Dunlap, Iowa; three children, Angie and her husband Jeff Jones of Omaha, Nebraska, John Paul Heller and his wife Rhonda of Onawa, Iowa, Ed Heller and his wife Sarah of Omaha, Nebraska, two grandsons, Lance Heller and Logan Jones; three siblings, Bill Heller and his wife Sandy, Rose Ann and her husband Sonny Klein; Bob Heller and his wife Becky all of Omaha, Nebraska; and many other relatives and friends.