Robert W. Heberlein

PORTAGE – Robert W. Heberlein, age 85, of Portage, died on Sunday, March 7, 2010, at his home.

Robert Heberlein was born on June 18, 1924 in Milwaukee, the son of Howard and Dorothy (Arn) Heberlein.  He served his country with the U.S. Navy from 1942 to 1945 aboard the destroyer U.S.S. Sands in the Pacific and with the amphibious force.  His military medals included the American Campaign Medal; Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with ten Battle Stars; Philippine Liberation Medal with two Stars; Navy Unit Citation; Combat Action Ribbon; World War II Victory Medal; and American Defense Medal.  Bob operated Heberlein’s Standard Service with his uncle, Charlie Heberlein; and owned and operated Heberlein’s Shell and “The Tire Place”, now operated by Jeff Grothman, for 40 years.  He was married to the late Dolores Johnson for 30 years from June 18, 1949-June 25, 1979.  He was married on May 16, 1981 in Portage to Bea Van Wormer.  They were married for 29 years.  Bob was an active member of St. Mary Catholic Church in Portage, the Portage Elks Club, and the Cleary-Krech VFW Post #1707 where he served as Chaplain.  This past fall he was inducted into the Portage High School Hall of Fame for boxing. 

Survivors include his wife Beatrice, Portage; two daughters, Julie (Rob) Reveley, Palm Beach, FL; and Jan (David) Carlson, Portage; six step-children, Shelley (Benjamin III) Rehak, Lino Lakes, MN; Joan Van Wormer-Bowman, Verona; Nancy (John) Wahl, Portage; Colleen (Jerry) Howes, Sun Prairie; Mark (Margie) Van Wormer, Madison; Lana Hamilton, Madison; sister Joan Marie (Norman) Winterhoff, Wausau; brother-in-law Dan (Marge) Johnson, Deforest; and son-in-law Dave (Diane) Habeck.  His grandchildren include Kathryn Carlson; Jude (Laurel), Alexandra, and Jaclyn Reveley; Bob (Lisa Green) Howe; Jamie (John) Delavan; Benjamin (Heidi), Ryan, Ruth (Carolyn Barker), and Jonathan Bowman; Alecia (Christopher) Schneidewind; Maegen (Brandon Podoll) Howes-Podoll; Elizabeth (Joseph Olson) Howes-Olson; Leslie Howes; Christen, Melissa, Cari, Jared, and Kaylynn Van Wormer; Wendy Durrwachter; Jason Van Wormer, William and Peter Hamilton; Sarah (Jason) Nielsen; and Benjamin (Julie Armstrong) Rehak IV.  Great-grandchildren include Brendan Fahey; Sylvia and Robert Reveley; Natalie Nielsen; Milee and Lucy Podoll; Alexander, Isaiah, and Jacob Bowman; Jacob, Joshua, and John Delavan; Jorden Grubb; R.J. Howe; Noah Smith; and Asher and Sydney Olsen.  Nieces and nephews include Sue Harper, Mike and Mark Heberlein, Jill (Brian) Barr, and Steven Johnson; his cousin Charles Kent, and other near relatives and many close friends including his terrier, Dolly.  Bob was preceded in death by his parents, Howard and Dorothy Heberlein; his first wife Dolores Heberlein; two brothers, Jack and Jim (Judy) Heberlein, and step-daughter, Laurie Habeck.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, March 10, 2010, at St. Mary Catholic Church in Portage, with Father Jim Murphy officiating.  Burial with Military graveside services will follow in St. Mary Cemetery.  Visitation will be held on Tuesday, March 9, 2010, from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at the Pflanz Mantey Mendrala Funeral Home in Portage, and on Wednesday, from 9:30 until the time of Mass at the church.        

The family would like to extend a special thank you to Dr. Paul Slavik, Southern Care Hospice, and Home Instead Senior Care for their care and concern.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Mary School Endowment Fund.