Richard Howard Heller

Wednesday, August 17, 2022, age 78 years.
 
He was preceded in death by his parents, Elmer and Alice (Newburn) Heller.

Beloved husband of the late Diane (Theis) Heller.  Loving father of Philip (Laurie) Heller, Debbie German, and Stephanie Burgin.  Loving grandfather of Danielle (Randy) Grimmett, Brianna (Josh) Richmond, Nathan Heller, Jason (Karen) Piper, Justin Piper, Eric German, David, Charles and Diane Burgin.  Loving great grandfather of Peyton, Wyatt, Zoey, Sawyer Richmond, My’Asia, Elizabeth, Hailey Grimmett, Mavis Taranto, Luca, and Adaline Piper. Dear brother of Eleanor (Richard) Barge, Robert (the late Sharron) Heller, James (Brenda) Heller, and the late Janet (Gary) McCracken and Thomas (Sherry) Heller.  His dear friends Helen Bishop of Cincinnati, Ohio, and Dorothy Day of Tucson, Arizona, survived him. Many nieces, nephews, and cousins. 

Richard was raised in St. Bernard, Ohio, where he attended St. Clements Elementary School and St. Bernard High School, where he played football until his graduation in 1962. He married his sweetheart Diane Theis in 1964, and they settled in North College Hill and started their family.  Richard started his career as a machinist at General Electric in Evendale, Ohio, retiring in 1995 after 29 years of service. Once retired, he relocated to Tucson, Arizona, due to health issues.  Over the next 28 years, he loved learning about the region and sharing his knowledge of the Wild West with friends and family who visited his new home.  After breaking his hip at the end of April, he finally agreed to move back to Cincinnati so he could be near his family and friends for help and support.  In his last few months, we could tell his spirit was uplifted, spending time with his siblings, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, cousins, and friends he hadn’t seen in years. 

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Hospice of Cincinnati or Feast of Love at College Hill Presbyterian Church (Cincinnati, OH).

Service time and date will be determined later.