Philip Heller

Philip Albert Heller was born on March 11, 1937, the son of Henry and Frances (Gubbels) Heller in Portsmouth, Iowa. Phil was baptized and confirmed in his faith at St. Mary Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church in Portsmouth, where he remained a lifelong member. He attended St. Mary Catholic Schools in Portsmouth and began working full-time for his father at the age of 16.

On June 16, 1960, Phil married Doramae Dermody at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Neola. The couple spent a year and a half in Tacoma, Washington while Phil served in the United States Army. After his honorable discharge, they settled in Portsmouth, where they raised their three children: Jacqueline, Cheri, and Rog.

Phil owned and operated Heller Tire in Portsmouth with his brother, Rich, dedicating himself fully to the business. After Rich retired, Phil continued running it on his own until his own well-earned retirement in 1997. Throughout his life, he actively contributed to his community by serving on various school and civic boards and projects, and he held the position of fire chief for the Portsmouth Fire Department.

Phil had a deep love for travel, with some of his most memorable trips including a river cruise along the Rhine and Moselle Rivers from Amsterdam to France and Switzerland, and a special trip to Hawaii to celebrate his 25th wedding anniversary. He found joy in the outdoors, whether biking, working in his yard and garden, or simply enjoying nature. A talented craftsman, he had a special gift for making rosaries. He was also a football fan, but nothing brought him more joy than spending time with his family and proudly supporting his grandchildren in their various activities. Phil and Doramae would have celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary in June.

Philip passed away surrounded by family on Sunday, May 11, 2025, at Elm Crest Senior Living in Harlan, Iowa, at the age of 88 years and two months. He was preceded in death by his parents; siblings: Alvin (Ethel) Heller, Elaine (Harold) Buckley, Mary (Bob) Finken, Rose Ann (Gus) Schnuettgen and Darlene Kenkel; siblings-in-law: Barb Heller and Gene Thielen.

Philip is survived by his wife of over 64 years, Doramae Heller of Portsmouth; children: Jacqueline (Allan) Reinig of Portsmouth, Cheri (Tom) DeWispelare of Omaha and Rog (Christy) Heller of Omaha; five grandchildren: Byron (Alina) Borkowski, Jocelyn (Ryan) Squatrito, Nicholai DeWispelare, Anna (Cole) Sommer and Henry Heller; step granddaughter, Dr. Erica Reing; great-grandchildren: Grant and Seraphina; siblings: Rich Heller of Portsmouth, Bonnie Thielen of Denver, Colorado and Veral (Mary) Heller of Green Valley, Arizona; brothers-in-law: Jim Kenkel of Earling, Mike (Kathleen) Dermody of St. Louis, Missouri, Joe (Renee) Dermody of Neola, Tom (Deppe) Dermody of Indianapolis, Indiana and Steve (Rosemary) of Council Bluffs; many nieces and nephews; and other family members and friends.

A rosary will be held at 9:00 a.m. with visitation to follow from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. with his Mass of Christian Burial to take place at 11:00 a.m. all on Friday, May 16, 2025, at St. Mary Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church in Portsmouth. Interment will follow in St. Mary’s Cemetery. Memorials may be directed to the family for a donation to be made in his name at St. Mary’s Parish.