Friday Funeral Planned

For Heroic Firefighter

ONEONTA – A funeral for John Heller, the former firefighter who died rescuing his four nephews and fiancee in the Saturday morning fire at his Walling Avenue home, will be at 1 p.m. Friday, Jan. 4 at the Bookhout Funeral Home.

Calling hours will be 5-8 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 3.

Heller served with the Oneonta Fire Department in an on-call and part-time capacity from 2002-2009.

Andrew Turner, president of the Oneonta Professional Firefighters, issued a statement mourning Heller’s passing this morning. “It is with sadness and deep loss that the Oneonta Professional Firefighters learned of the tragic passing of John Heller, a former part-time member of the Oneonta Fire Department,” he wrote. “We extend our deepest sympathies to the Heller family.”

He continued, “During his years as a member of the Department, John’s actions made a difference in the lives of our residents – and his actions on Saturday were central to saving the lives of those closest to him. We pray for peace to John, and all who he touched and loved.”