Rudolph (Rudy) Heller

Rudolph Heller Jr. Rudolph (Rudy) Heller Jr., age 92, died on April 9, 2016, in Lakeland, Florida. Rudy has been a resident of Lakeland for over 60 years and has resided at the Estates at Carpenters for the last eight years. Rudy is survived by his oldest daughter, Jeanie Heller Bollinger and her husband Jeff, of Waynesville, NC; his son, Rudolph (Rudy) Heller III and his wife Teresa, of Palmetto, FL; and youngest daughter Ann Heller von Spiegelfeld and her husband Allen of St. Petersburg FL. Rudy is also survived by older sister Mable Valko of Wilmington, DE. He is preceded in death by his wife Miriam of Wilmington, DE. Rudy was born on May 7, 1923 in Rosemont, PA to Laura and Rudolph Heller Sr. He graduated from Wilmington High School and soon thereafter married his high school sweetheart Miriam. When duty called he entered the Army Air Corp and proudly served his country in WWII by flying the Douglas C-47 in the European theatre. He left the AAF after WWII but remained in the reserves and retired with the rank of Major. After the war he attended the University of Delaware and graduated with a BA in Business Administration. In civilian life he worked in the insurance industry and retired as a Claims Manager for Auto Owners Insurance in Lakeland, FL. Rudy enjoyed fishing and socializing with his work buddies. His family and friends will always remember him as a funny, charming, and caring person. He was a fine man and wonderful father, making sacrifices in his life so his children could have good lives. He will be forever missed. Rudy will be buried next to his wife Miriam in a private family ceremony at the Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell, FL.