Obituary for Douglas Marshall Heller
It is with great sadness that the family of Douglas (Doug) Heller announces his sudden passing on Thursday, November 3, 2022. Born to Robert and Marcia Heller on January 11, 1959, he was 63 years old when he died. Doug was the loving and devoted husband of Dinah Heller for 41 years. She will miss him greatly and cherish the many wonderful memories she has of their years together, first as friends and then as husband and wife.
Doug was a 1977 graduate of East Stroudsburg High School in Pennsylvania. He was a veteran of the United States Air Force, retiring at the rank of Master Sergeant in 1999 after 20 years of service.
Upon retirement from the Air Force, Doug became the owner and operator of “Jill’s Mobile Dog Grooming.” Customers and dogs alike, loved to see his van pull into their drives for their scheduled grooming. He was so gentle and kind to all animals, fostering dogs and cats when needed, picking up strays on the road and locating their homes. If the owner could not be found, he and Dinah often took the pet into their own home and made it their “forever home.”
Doug was an avid cyclist and kayaker in addition to many other outdoor activities such as boating and pickleball. As President of the Gulf Coast Bicycle Club in the mid-2000s, Doug was instrumental in starting the club's flagship annual event, the Southern Magnolia 100. In recent years he took photos at club events and time trials, providing members incredible memories that truly captured the joy of exercise. He was always welcoming to new cyclists and would offer friendly advice to help people get started in the sport. Doug was one of the regular participants in the annual "Battle on the Bayou" kayak event in Ocean Springs, MS, and spent lots of time in Gulf Coast waters on paddleboards, jet skis, boats, and kayaks. He was a long time paper boy for the Sun Herald newspaper, which he enjoyed greatly. He was awarded “Carrier of the Year” in 2002 for his rigorous routes and his unwavering dependability
.Mr. Heller is predeceased by his parents, Robert and Marcia Heller.
He is survived by his wife of 41 years, Dinah Heller, brother, Duane Heller and sister, Denise Heller-Domotor, both of PA; nieces, Shannon Stish, Neka Highland, Michelle Heller, Emily Sechler, and Kendra Domotor, sister-in-law Jane Keiper, brother-in-law Raymond Highland, nephew Donald Keiper, niece Donna Dougherty and great niece Elizabeth Dougherty. Family friends – Dan Abate, Courtney, Stephanie & David Walker, Anna Cannington, Jeff LeDuke, Sylvia Creel and Stacey Senseney.
He will also be sorely missed by his dogs, Goldie and Budderbean.
A funeral with full military honors will be held at a later date after which there will be a Celebration of Life to honor Doug.
Doug was a 1977 graduate of East Stroudsburg High School in Pennsylvania. He was a veteran of the United States Air Force, retiring at the rank of Master Sergeant in 1999 after 20 years of service.
Upon retirement from the Air Force, Doug became the owner and operator of “Jill’s Mobile Dog Grooming.” Customers and dogs alike, loved to see his van pull into their drives for their scheduled grooming. He was so gentle and kind to all animals, fostering dogs and cats when needed, picking up strays on the road and locating their homes. If the owner could not be found, he and Dinah often took the pet into their own home and made it their “forever home.”
Doug was an avid cyclist and kayaker in addition to many other outdoor activities such as boating and pickleball. As President of the Gulf Coast Bicycle Club in the mid-2000s, Doug was instrumental in starting the club's flagship annual event, the Southern Magnolia 100. In recent years he took photos at club events and time trials, providing members incredible memories that truly captured the joy of exercise. He was always welcoming to new cyclists and would offer friendly advice to help people get started in the sport. Doug was one of the regular participants in the annual "Battle on the Bayou" kayak event in Ocean Springs, MS, and spent lots of time in Gulf Coast waters on paddleboards, jet skis, boats, and kayaks. He was a long time paper boy for the Sun Herald newspaper, which he enjoyed greatly. He was awarded “Carrier of the Year” in 2002 for his rigorous routes and his unwavering dependability
.Mr. Heller is predeceased by his parents, Robert and Marcia Heller.
He is survived by his wife of 41 years, Dinah Heller, brother, Duane Heller and sister, Denise Heller-Domotor, both of PA; nieces, Shannon Stish, Neka Highland, Michelle Heller, Emily Sechler, and Kendra Domotor, sister-in-law Jane Keiper, brother-in-law Raymond Highland, nephew Donald Keiper, niece Donna Dougherty and great niece Elizabeth Dougherty. Family friends – Dan Abate, Courtney, Stephanie & David Walker, Anna Cannington, Jeff LeDuke, Sylvia Creel and Stacey Senseney.
He will also be sorely missed by his dogs, Goldie and Budderbean.
A funeral with full military honors will be held at a later date after which there will be a Celebration of Life to honor Doug.