Foster D. Heller , age 95 of Stockton, IL passed away Monday, April 29, 2024 surrounded by his children. The funeral service will be held Monday, May 6, 2024 at 11:00 am at Holy Cross Catholic Church in Stockton. There will be a visitation before the service beginning at 9:00am. Interment will take place at Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery in Stockton.

He was born Nov. 21, 1928, in Scales Mound, IL to Reynold and Ella (Siegel) Heller. He went to Scales Mound school and graduated from East Dubuque High School after his family moved to that area. He married the love of his life, Rosemary (Ricke), on October 1, 1949 in Menominee, IL He was employed at John Deere Co before entering his passion of farming in 1954 where he and his wife moved to Woodbine, IL He was a dairy farmer for 45 years as he had a deep passion for working with cattle and living the life of a farmer. After retiring he continued to help his son-in-law, Grant, on Offenheiser Farms in Derinda. He and his wife moved to Stockton in 2003.

He was a member of the Knights of Columbus, a former 4-H leader, and a member of Holy Cross Catholic Church in which he served on the building committee when the church was built. He loved playing euchre and played in many different card clubs. He was a great husband, father, grandpa and great grandpa and was loved by all his family and close friends who knew him.

He is survived by and will be deeply missed by one son and three daughters. Sharon (Richard) Kump, Stockton, Kathy Knauer (Patrick Breen), Lacon, IL, Stan (Deanna) Heller, McFarland, WI, Donna (Grant) Offenheiser, Elizabeth, IL. Seven grandchildren, Melissa (Justin), Matthew (Victoria), Keri Ann, Kyle (Niki), Jack, Claire, and Michael (Abby). Eight great grandchildren, Elyse, Audra, Owen, Abigail, Andrew, Wells, Willa, and Hayes.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 67 years, one sister, Joyce Meyer, and 6 brothers, Harold, Lester, Clayton, Arnold, Robert, Billy and son-in-law, David Knauer.

We would like to thank dad's close neighbors who always had a watchful eye on him, Janet Broshous and Denny & Kathi Starr and his pew friend in church, Kathy Talbert. In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established.