J. Richard Heller

The Rev. J. Richard Heller, 81, of St. Petersburg, FL, died Monday (Oct. 4, 2004) in Franklin, N.C., his summer home. He was born in Hershey, Pa., and graduated from Furman University. He received a master's degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Fort Worth, Texas. He was ordained at Canal Point Baptist Church and served pastorates at Southern Baptist churches in Round Rock, Texas, and Riviera Beach before becoming pastor of Emmanuel Baptist Church, St. Petersburg, in 1967. He retired in 1985. He was a member of Nitram Masonic Lodge 188 and was a master Mason for 40 years. Survivors include his wife of 60 years, Oveda V.; a daughter, Susan Elizabeth Haffner, and a son, John P., both of St. Petersburg; five grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. $(document).ready(function(){ });