Owen E. Heller

Owen E. Heller, 87, of Lakehurst, passed away peacefully at the Specialty Hospital of Central NJ, Lakewood on Monday, February 7, 2022. He was an Aviation Electronics Technician First Class, serving in the US Navy for 20 years, retiring in 1972. He traveled the world with his wife Janet and had many adventures while serving in the Navy. They were especially fond of their time spent in Europe. After retiring, he worked for the Civil Service for 20 years as an Electronic Technician, some time at the E.A.R.L.E Naval Weapons Station in Colts Neck and then mostly at the Lakehurst Naval Air base in Lakehurst, retiring in 1993.

Owen was very active in the Jersey Shore Council of the Boy Scouts of America. He was a Vigil Member of the Order of the Arrow and was awarded the Silver Beaver for his dedication over the years. He was a member of ELKs in Oneonta, NY and a member of the MOOSE Lodge in Kingsville, TX. He was also a member of the Smithsonian Institute and of the National Native American Museum in Washington DC. Owen was awarded Citizen of the Year In Lakehurst in 2010. He had an immense love of the Lenni - Lenape people and culture. He collected & created many artifacts. He was a self- taught Naturalist, Anthropologist & Botanist. He enjoyed sharing his knowledge of the culture thru story- telling and his collection of artifacts. He called it his Lenape “Show & Tell”. He was a life- long friend to the Lenape people. Above all Owen loved his family very much.

Owen is predeceased by his wife of 65 years, the late Janet nee Eggelston, 2021, a sister the late Gay Langellotti in 2015. He is survived by his son, Erich E. Heller & his wife Margaruitte; his daughter, Gretchen E. Heller & her husband Howard E. Haltiwanger, Jr.; 10 grandchildren, Erich John, Joshua, Nicole, Alexander, Danielle, Aaron, Dustin, Trey, Quinn and Sage; and 4 great-grandchildren, Evan, Elijah, Sebastian and Arabella. Owen is also survived by his sister, Cher Heller; and several nieces & nephews.

Visitation will be Tuesday, February 22 from 10:30-11:30am at the Anderson & Campbell Funeral Home, 115 Lacey Rd. Whiting, NJ 08759. Funeral Services will be at 11:30am. Committal to include military honors will follow at the Brig. Gen. Wm C. Doyle NJ Veterans Cemetery, 350 Province Line Rd. Wrightstown, NJ 08562. In Lieu of Flowers, the family respectfully request considering a donation to the Boy Scouts of America or any Native American Charity of your choice.