Leroy Heller

Leroy Franklin Heller, 81 years old, of Vandalia, Michigan, formerly of Elkhart, passed to his rest June 23, 2018, at his home after an illness.

He was born March 7, 1937, in Jay County, Indiana, the son of John Borenson Heller and Leah Nila Beatrice Priest. In his younger years, he grew up in the Pennville, Indiana, area.

He graduated from Ball State University in Muncie, with a master’s degree in education. He taught at Center Elementary School in Marion, becoming the school principal. Later he transferred to the Penn-Harris-Madison School System, being principal at Elsie Rogers Elementary School and then at Grissom Middle School where he was assistant principal. He enjoyed his school family, the hundreds of students and the school educators throughout his years. He was proud of all the students’ lives that he touched and the many students that made his life full and complete. His “goal in life” was that everyone that he came into contact with, that he could be of service to them and to his student body family. He loved being a teacher, school administrator and friend. 

Surviving Leroy and his first wife, Gloria Ann Teeple, Gloria has now passed, is their son Leroy “LeJay” (Kathy) Heller of Edwardsburg; Leroy and Gloria’s daughter, Kristy (Joseph) Beck of Edwardsburg; and Kristy’s children Joseph, Samantha and Jacob; Leroy and Gloria’s daughter Bobbie (Terry) Brown of Boiling Springs, South Carolina; and Bobbie’s children; Jessica (Joe) Salvatore and Joshua Brown.

In 2008, Leroy married Lori Ann Cook Haines and she survives along with her children Mark “Steven” Haines (Steve’s fiance Crystal Greggs) of Mishawaka and Leslie (Andy) VanLaan of Chicago; and Leslie’s daughter Jolene VanLaan. That makes six grandchildren.

Other family is a brother, Bob Heller, who passed. There is a host of nieces and nephews, friends and neighbors.

There will be a cremation. A private memorial gathering will take place at a time and date to be determined. In lieu of flowers, please make memorial donations to Great Lakes Hospice, 900 Cooper St. Jackson, MI 49202. The care from Hospice was kind and loving, so help the family remember Hospice. 

Arrangements are by the Paul E. Mayhew Funeral Home, Edwardsburg. You may call (269) 663-5345 for assistance.