Frankyn D 'Frank' Heller, 20 Nov 1935 - 09 Jul 2026

HELLER, DUSIL, BLAKE, GOEBEL, HIGHBERGER, VOKRAL, SANCHEZ, STUMBO, MORTON

Posted By: Sarah Witte (email)
Date: 7/22/2026 at 14:32:05

Frankyn D “Frank” Heller, born November 20, 1935, in Honey Creek Township near Ladora, Iowa, passed away on July 9, 2026, at Wallowa Memorial Hospital due to heart failure. He was the son of Lloyd Wright Heller and Emma Dusil Heller.

Frank grew up in Iowa and attended Honey Creek Country School before graduating from Victor High School. Over the years, he made his home in Ladora, Iowa; Lostine, Oregon; and Wallowa, Oregon.

He married Zelma Fay Blake, and later Peggy Goebel, who survives him.

Drafted into the U.S. Army, Frank served as a Private in an engineering battalion, Company B, 92d Engr Bn (Construction), working as a carpenter. His unit was assigned to go in an area in advance to set up infrastructure such as bridges and buildings then tear them down after they were no longer needed. During his service, he received two letters of recognition from commanding officers for his dedication and skill. As one Commanding Officer said, “Pvt Heller performed his duty in a most commendable manner. He proved alert, cooperative, and extremely thorough in the performance of his duties. His accurate and painstaking efforts proved of considerable assistance. This performance of duty reflects considerable credit upon Pvt Heller and his assigned miliary organization”. This praise spoke to the heart of who Frank was and reflected the quiet strength and hard work he demonstrated not only during his time in the U.S. Army but throughout his entire life.

Frank was a farmer in Iowa in his early years. He then worked as Foreman for Coats Construction, building bridges for many years. During his bridge building career, he helped build 71 bridges throughout Oregon, often in remote, challenging locations. He later became a general contractor, specializing in concrete work. Frank was a skilled craftsman, often receiving praise for his attention to detail and the uncompromising quality of his work.

Frank was a true outdoorsman. He enjoyed many hobbies, including fishing, hunting, collecting axes, gold mining, woodworking, and one of his favorites, “truing up” pies!

He was also a storyteller in the truest sense. Whether recalling his years building bridges across Oregon, sharing memories from his childhood, or describing one of his many adventures in the outdoors, he told them with a spark in his eye and a richness of detail that made listeners feel as though they were right there beside him. These stories weren’t just entertaining; they were windows into a life lived fully, with curiosity, hard work, and heart.

He will be remembered for his steady, kind and easy going nature as well as his sense of humor, which was gentle and genuine — the kind that drew people in and made ordinary moments feel lighter. His legacy lives on in the laughter he inspired, the memories he shared, and the countless lives he touched simply by being himself.

He is survived by his wife, Peggy Heller of Wallowa, OR; Dawn Highberger, daughter and spouse Mark Highberger – Wallowa, OR; Tonya Vokral, daughter and partner Frank Sanchez, Parma, ID; Frank Stumbo, grandson – Helena, MT, Elise Stumbo, granddaughter – Idaho Falls, ID,• Brie Stumbo, granddaughter – Corvallis, OR.

He was preceded in death by his wife Zelma Heller, parents Lloyd and Emma Heller, brothers Ernest Heller, Elvin Heller, Wes Heller, Junior Heller, and George Heller, and sisters Alice Morton and Mary Heller.

Gravesite Service wil be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, July 25, 2026, at Koszta Cemetery with Rev. Willie Karsten officiating. Military Honors: Army Color Guard and Marengo American Legion Post #76. Powell Funeral Home in Marengo is caring for Frank and his family.

Published in The Hometown Current on July 22, 2026.