Rollin Heller

Rollin Goembel Heller, 91, of Hooppole and Geneseo, died May 2, 2010 at Good Samaritan Village, Geneseo. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on May 22nd (Saturday) at Zion United Methodist Church, Hooppole where visitation will be held from 9:30 a.m. until the services. Rev. Randy Rutledge will officiate. Rollin donated his body for medical use. Inurnment will occur at a later date at Coloma Township Cemetery, Rock Falls, IL where Masonic services will take place at that time. Memorial contributions may be made to Zion United Methodist Church, Hooppole or Masonic Lodge No. 293, Prophetstown. The family encourages contributions in lieu of flowers. A reception with light lunch by the Zion Friendship Class will follow in the church.

Born in the family home in Loraine Township on June 9, 1918, Rollin was the oldest son of Earl Wagner Heller and Kathryn L. Goembel. He graduated from Geneseo High School and attended a fifth year to take extra classes. He married Betty Jean Ragan on Easter Sunday, April 21, 1946.

While farming along the Green River in Alba Township, Rollin belonged to Farm Bureau and the Young Peoples Group of Henry County. He obtained a private pilot license at the Geneseo Airport and joined the Flying Farmers.

Rollin was a member of United Methodist Church for more than 60 years, serving as board member, Sunday school teacher, and in the choir. A Mason for more than 60 years, he attained the degree of PM.

After his retirement, he and Betty entered the Peace Corps in 1973, spending 5 years on agricultural projects in the Philippines. Before returning to Hooppole, they traveled around the world, working for a few weeks on a kibbutz in Israel. Upon their return, he worked part time for the Hooppole School and drove a school bus, and he remodeled two homes in Hooppole. He volunteered for the Methodist Nomads Mobile Missionary Assistance Program, working on 5 projects in the United States and Mexico.

Survivors include: wife, Betty; son, Terry (Linda) and grandson, Gabriel; daughter Treasure (Steven) Jargo; sisters, Rebecca (Donald) Erickson of Altona and Margaret (Alvin) Longman of Ft. Myers, FL, sister-in-law Elizabeth (Lyman) of Lake Placid, FL; and many nieces and nephews. Preceding him in death are his parents; brothers, James, Lyman and Milford; sisters-in-law Eloise (James) and Fern (Milford); and two nephews.