John Heller's Obituary
Lt. Colonel (retired) John David Heller died peacefully at home on March 16, 2006 with his family at his bedside. He was born March 8, 1922 in Los Angeles, California to Charles and Isabelle Heller and is survived by his wife Roselie of 62 years, children Ron (Kayren) of Phoenix, AZ, Jack (Jewell) of Panama City, FL and Deborah (Kandy) of Livermore, CA, as well as 8 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.Colonel Heller retired from the United States Air Force in 1964 after serving his country for twenty-four years. During WWII he flew 52 combat missions in P-51Â's (52nd Fighter Group - 5th Squadron) and P-38Â's (82nd Fighter Squadron) in the European Theater of Operations (Italy). He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal with 6 oak leaf clusters as well as many other military accomplishments. During WWII he flew P-39Â's, P-40Â's, P-47Â's, and P-61Â's. After WWII he went on to fly several military helicopters in Air/Sea rescue as well as the SA16 flying boat and B-25 Mitchell. Prior to his retirement in 1964 at Travis AFB, CA, Colonel Heller flew C-118Â's for eight years as a Command Instructor pilot at McChord AFB, Washington and Hickam AFB, Hawaii.After retiring, his love of flying continued with the purchase of a Ryan PT-22 open cockpit aerobatic plane. He enjoyed taking friends and family up for flights around Mt. Rainier and the Puget Sound area. Over the years, he set a fine example for all his loved ones.In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the charity of your choice, American Heart Association or the Franciscan Hospice.Services will be held at 9:00 AM on Friday, March 24, 2006 in the Mountain View Garden Chapel. Inurnment in Tahoma National Cemetery, Kent, Washington.
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