By; Mark Holtsberry
Samuel Reed Heller born October 12, 1890 in Norfolk, Virginia. The son of Edward W. born April 16, 1869 in Indianapolis, Indian. And Levina Elizabeth (Oswalt) Heller born December 6, 1870 in Poneto, Indiana.
This couple was married August 25, 1888 in Indiana. On February 21, 1889, a son, Jessie Clyde was born, followed by Verna May May 30, 1896, Russel Edson April 23, 1899. By 1900, the Heller family was living in Harrison, Indiana. Edward was a farmer and the Samuel was in school. On June 25, 1905, a daughter Minnie Marie was born, followed by Florence (Flossie) Irene March 5, 1908.
By 1910, the family was living on Walnut Street in Harrison, Indiana. Edward, still farming and Samuel, now eighteen, was working odd jobs. A son, Melvin Adolph was born May 28, 1910, he was a sickly child and passed away, August 11, 1910.
On November 10, 1911, a daughter Rosetta Helen, died at birth. In 1917, a daughter, Sylvia Margrinta died at birth. As the world went to war, the United States called for the registration of a draft.
On June 5, 1917, Samuel registered for the draft in Wells County, Indiana. Listed as medium height and build, brown eyes, brown hair, and single. He was living near Bluffton, Indiana. Samuel’s brother, Russel Edson registered for the draft, June 5, 1917 at Wells County. Samuel enlisted into the military April 27, 1918. He served in the United States Medical Corp out of Indiana. During that timeframe, Jessie Clyde Heller, caught influenza and pneumonia and passed away November 27, 1918. He was discharged February 3, 1919 with the rank of Private First Class. He was discharged at Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia. As for Russel Edson Heller, he was killed in action, October 11, 1918 in France.
On September 4, 1919, Samuel’s mother, Levina, passed away from chronic pneumonia. She was buried in Paw Paw, Michigan. By 1920, Samuel was living in Paw Paw, Michigan on North Brown Street.
He was working as a driver for a company. Still single, his sister’s Minnie, Flossie and Rosetta along with his father, Edward were living with him. By 1930, Samuel was living in Ft. Wayne, Indiana on 215 and a half Main Street in a boarding house. He was working as a glass cutter in a glass factory. Sometime after 1931, Samuel married a gal named, Lillian (Lida) May Donley, Bailey, Cramer, Myers, Beineke. Her first marriage was not to the Bailey man, records are not clear what his name was. She was born February 9, 1880 in Paulding County. On January 20, 1934, Samuel’s father, Edward Heller passed away in Kalamazoo, Michigan. He was buried with his wife in Paw Paw, Michigan. In 1935, Samuel became ill. Samuel and Lillian were living at 2430 Elyetta Street in Ft. Wayne. In March of 1935, Samuel took ill in his bed and on June 25, 1935, and passed away. His cause of death was coronary occlusion. He was buried in Sherman Cemetery lot 24, space 4.
On July 9, 1935, Lillian applied for his Government Issue tombstone. August 8, 1935, application for his stone was accepted, and on September 9, 1935, the stone was shipped. It is unclear who installed his stone. On April 16, 1940, Lillian passed away in Defiance. She is buried with Samuel. Looks like she finally settled down.
