Ferd F. Heller

Ferd F. Heller, 86, of Wapakoneta, died at 2:50 p.m., Sat. June 16, 2012, at the St. Rita’s Medical Center. He was born Oct. 12, 1925 in Pottstown, PA, the son of Walter & Helen (Seasholtz) Heller, and they preceded him in death. On June 28, 1952, he married Ruth E. Rentschler, and she survives. Other survivor include, 5 children, Patti (Jake) Braun, Wapakoneta, Bob (Patty) Heller, Hamilton, OH, David Heller, Wapakoneta, Joan (Fred) McAdoo, Dayton, OH, John Heller, Columbus, OH, 9 grandchildren, Jen Heller, Kara (Ryan) Schneider, Mike (Alicia) Heller, Kim Heller, Andrew (Jessica) McAdoo, Courtney Braun, Katie (John) Murphy, Amy McAdoo, Rachel Early, 4 great grandchildren, Makenzie Schneider, Kaiden McAdoo, Nolan Heller, Kelsey Schneider. He was preceded in death by a daughter-in-law, Rebecca Early. Ferd retired in 1987 as a salesman with Superior Tube Co., Wapakoneta, after over 35 years of service. He also worked from 1999-2006 at the Wapakoneta YMCA. A 1943 graduate of Pottstown High School, he was a 1947 graduate of Muhlenberg College, Allentown, PA. He was a 50 year member of First English Lutheran Church, Wapakoneta, and a past member of the Wapakoneta Country Club. He served 12 years on the Wapakoneta City School Board of Education and was president for 4 years during the building of the new high school. Ferd received the “Friend of Education Award” in 1990 from the Wapakoneta City Schools. He was a strong supporter of Wapakoneta High School athletics, and was a founding member of the Wapakoneta Dad’s Club. He was the former announcer of the Wapakoneta home wrestling meets, the Wapak Waves summer swim meets, and home basketball games. He coached summer baseball and softball teams for many years and kept statistics on all sporting events. An avid golfer and bowler, he was a fan of the Cincinnati Reds and Bengals. He was his children’s and grandchildren’s “biggest fan”, and supported them by his attendance at their many activities. Ferd also had a love for animals. He grew up with horses and worked on a horse farm in Arizona during the summers of his college years. He was a wonderful husband, father, grandpa and great-grandpa. Funeral services will be 1:00 p.m., Thursday, June 21, 2012, at the First English Lutheran Church, Wapakoneta, Pastor Steven Nelson officiating. Burial will be in the Greenlawn Cemetery, Wapakoneta. The family will receive friends from 4-8 p.m., Wed. at the Bayliff & Eley Funeral Home, St. Rt. 501, Wapakoneta, and 1 hr. prior to the funeral service, Thurs. at the church. Memorial contributions may be directed to the Wapakoneta Boosters Club, First English Lutheran Church, or to the charity of the donor’s choice.

Ferd F. Heller

October 12, 1925 - June 16, 2012