Obituary for Larry Earl Heller

Larry Earl Heller, 62, of Palo, Iowa died Thursday, January 29, 2009 at the Dennis and Donna Oldorf Hospice of Mercy House of complications from diabetes. A Celebration of Life service will be held February 7, 2009 at 11:00 AM at the Hillside Wesleyan Church, Cedar Rapids. In lieu of flowers and gifts, the family requests memorial donations be made to the Oldorf Hospice (315 18th Ave., Hiawatha) of Mercy House. Larry was born January 2, 1947 in Clinton, IA to Wilma & Russell Heller. Larry was preceded in death by his father, Russell Heller; brothers, Ted Heller and Tony Heller; and sister, Joyce Schmidt. Larry is survived by his wife, Deb; mother Wilma of Cedar Rapids; sister Cindy (Mike) Cusimano of Pleasant Hill, MO; nieces Laura (Brett) Sperry and daughter Danica; Lisa (Joshua) Stock of Kansas City; Shannan (Dane) Armentrout; Alissa Meador; and nephews Mike (Theresa) VandeBerg; and Brock Killion; several great nieces and nephews; many friends; brothers and sisters in Christ; and his special buddy for the past 11 years, Zeke. Larry enlisted in the Army and served his country in Viet Nam from May 1, 1968 to November 13, 1970. Larry met Deb Wellborn in 1978. They fell in love and were married in 1984 on April Fools Day, demonstrating the sense of humor they shared. Prior to becoming disabled, Larry graduated with an Associates Degree in counseling and then worked as an adult and youth counselor at the Area Substance Abuse Council as as a youth counselor at Four Oaks. He had a heart for troubled youth, and served as a mentor and role model for many. He was a friend of Bill W. for the past 28 years and sponsored several individuals. He was an honored volunteer with the Grady Paul Larson Foundation, and despite flood damage to his own home, he helped friends with flood recovery the past summer wherever he was able. Larry was an avid outdoorsman who dreamed of living by his own wiles in the mountains of Colorado. He loved fishing, which he was able to continue with the help of friends after becoming disabled. He created beautiful handmade fishing rods, walking canes and found joy in riding ATV''s. Larry also had a heart for the Lord. He was an active member of Hillside Wesleyan Church, and also enjoyed fellowship with brothers and sisters at Living Hope Wesleyan Church. He had a special affection for young children, and it was not uncommon to see this big bear of a man in the church foyer in his wheel chair, holding a tiny baby in his lap. Larry touched the lives of young and old alike maintaining his steady faith and devotion to the Lord, and was an inspiration to many even as he faced health challenges that left him progressively more disabled.