Heller, Philip Albert (1937 - 2025)

HELLER, REINIG, DEWISPELARE, BORKOWSKI, SQUATRITO, SOMMER, THIELEN, KENKEL, DERMODY, GUBBELS, BUCKLEY, FINKIN, SCHNUETTGEN

Posted By: Denise Wurner (email)
Date: 6/20/2025 at 13:46:49

Name of deceased: Philip Albert Heller

Aged: 88 yrs, 2 mo.

Residence: Portsmouth, Shelby County, IA

Born: March 11, 1937; Portsmouth, Shelby County, IA

Died: May 11, 2025; Elm Crest Senior Living, Harlan, Shelby County, IA

Funeral services: Mass of Christian Burial: Friday, May 16, 2025; St. Mary Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church, Portsmouth, IA; burial was in St. Mary’s Cemetery.

Survived by: Wife of more than 64 years, Doramae Heller of Portsmouth, IA; children, Jacqueline (spouse, Allan) Reinig of Portsmouth, IA, Cheri (spouse, Tom) DeWispelare of Omaha, NE and Rog (spouse, Christy) Heller of Omaha, NE; grandchildren, Byron (spouse, Alina) Borkowski, Jocelyn (spouse, Ryan) Squatrito, Nicholai DeWispelare, Anna (spouse, Cole) Sommer and Henry Heller; step-granddaughter, Dr. Erica Reing; great-grandchildren, Grant and Seraphina; siblings, Rich Heller of Portsmouth, IA, Bonnie Thielen of Denver, CO and Veral (spouse, Mary) Heller of Green Valley, AZ; brothers-in-law, Jim Kenkel of Earling, IA, Mike (spouse, Kathleen) Dermody of St. Louis, MO, Joe (spouse, Renee) Dermody of Neola, IA, Tom (spouse, Deppe) Dermody of Indianapolis, IN and Steve (spouse, Rosemary) of Council Bluffs, IA; nieces; nephews; other family members and friends

Predeceased by: Parents, Henry and Frances (nee Gubbels) Heller; siblings, Alvin (and spouse, Ethel) Heller, Elaine (and spouse, Harold) Buckley, Mary (and spouse, Bob) Finken, Rose Ann (and spouse, Gus) Schnuettgen and Darlene Kenkel; siblings-in-law, Barb Heller and Gene Thielen

Education: Attended St. Mary Catholic Schools, Portsmouth, IA and began working full-time for his father at the age of 16

Religious affiliation: Baptized and confirmed in his faith at St. Mary Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church, Portsmouth, IA, and where he remained a lifelong member

Military service: Served in the U. S. Army; honorably discharged

Marriage: Doramae Dermody; June 16, 1960; St. Patrick Catholic Church, Neola, IA. Phil and Doramae would have celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary in June 2025.

Employment: Began working full-time for his father at the age of 16; after his discharge from the army, Phil owned and operated, with his brother, Rich, Heller Tire in Portsmouth, IA, dedicating himself fully to the business. After Rich retired, Phil continued running it on his own until his own retirement in 1997.

Hobbies/Interests: Throughout his life, he served on various school and civic boards and projects and held the position of fire chief for the Portsmouth (IA) Fire Department. Phil loved to travel whether in the U. S. or in Europe; he enjoyed being outdoors, whether biking, working in his yard and garden, or simply enjoying nature. He was a talented craftsman and had a gift for making rosaries. He was also a football fan, but nothing brought him more joy than spending time with his family. Phil and Doramae would have celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary in June 2025.

Sources: heartlandfunerals.net