Mary Adele Heller

Mary Adele “Pee Wee” Heller of Rolla, Missouri passed away August 9, 2021 at the age of 93 at Cross Creek Senior Living, Lee’s Summit, MO.

Adele was born in Rolla on June 1, 1928 to the late Julia Marie and John Dabner Tucker. She attended Principia College after which she married her childhood sweetheart, William Robert Heller. They were married 54 loving years until his death in 2003. Adele and Bill enjoyed traveling the world on many cruises and land tours as well as entertaining at home. They loved to jitterbug and often times other dancers would clear the floor to watch them cut a rug. Many summers were spent at the Lake of the Ozarks with her family, lots of friends and Jello. They were long-time season ticket holders to the Fox and Repertory Theatres of St. Louis. She was proud of her role of mother to five children.

Adele was an active member and officer of P.E.O. and Club TEAC. She was a long-time member of First Presbyterian Church of Rolla where she served as Deacon and Elder and was among the last few to wear a hat to church services.

In addition to her parents and husband, Adele was preceded in death by her sisters Daisy Hahn and Helen Sands and her twin brothers, Armin and Norman “The Buds” Tucker who made their mark on the Rolla High School and UMR sports scene as faithful boosters.

She will be missed by her surviving family which includes her five children: Margaret Adele Heller Miller (Ron) of Edmond, OK; Helen Alice Heller of San Antonio, TX; Robert William Heller (Kathy) of Sullivan’s Island, SC; Ruth Ann Heller-Johnson (Tim) of Lee’s Summit, MO; and David Harrod Heller of Zacatecas, Mexico.

Nine grandchildren: Erica Devon Miller of Richardson, TX; Stacia Brooke Miller Shipman (Jeff) of Edmond, OK; Angela Marie Miller O’Daniel (Jason) of Gunter, TX; Tessa Ruth Miller of Enid, OK; Anna Kate Heller of New York City, NY; Caroline Tucker Heller of Charlotte, NC; William “Will” Robert Heller of Lee’s Summit, MO; David William Roy Heller (Mindy) of Muenster, TX; and Ashlee Marie Heller Hesteande (Ryan) of Alvord, TX.

Also 12 great grandchildren – Max, Maisie, Mollie, Tucker, Tess, Tatum, Carter, Braely, Parker, Saylor, Oaklee and Maren as well as many nieces and nephews. She felt fortunate to have special, long-time friends in Helen Hoertel, Nancy Mengel, Pat Lindgren, Lois DeLashmit, Chili Allen, Chandler Dortch and Carrie Aswegan.

A Memorial/Celebration of Life will be held in the spring of 2022 in Rolla.

Memorial contributions are suggested to P.E.O. International or First Presbyterian Church of Rolla, MO