Phillip Rodney Heberer, 74, of Pella, died Friday, April 7, 2023, at the Hospice of Pella Comfort House in Pella. Phillip Rodney Heberer was born November 27, 1948, the son of Ustaca Gilbert Heberer and Mary Adlene Graham Heberer in Oskaloosa, Mahaska County, Iowa. He was the youngest of three sons. He graduated from Oskaloosa High School in 1967. He enlisted in the U.S. Air Force out of high school on a delayed enlistment and entered the service on Oct 16, 1967. On July 24, 1970, he married Carmen Berger in Berlin, Neukoln, Germany. From that union he adopted his stepdaughter, Michaela Cousins, and had one biological daughter, Patricia Tribble. They were divorced in 1974. On May 31, 2003, Phil married Connie Rae Anders-Reed.
Phil spent over 23 years in the Air Force serving as a Russian Voice-Intercept Processing Specialist, an Administrative Specialist, and Orthotist Appliance Specialist. In July 1974, he cross-trained again into the Orthopedic Appliance Specialist field. He retired from the service in April 1990 with rank of Chief Master Sergeant. He worked for several years as a civilian Orthotist with Advanced Orthotics in Fort Worth, TX, then taught orthotics for the Air Force technical training course in San Antonio, TX as a Civil Service GS-10/Licensed Orthotist from 1995-1998. He retired from full-time work and became a freelance computer consultant and repair technician.
Throughout his life, Phil was an active volunteer in various non-profit community and professional organizations and churches that he attended. His relationships with his Lord, family and friends were upmost important to him.
Phil was proceeded in death by his parents and great granddaughter, Burkleigh Hazel Tribble.
In addition to his wife, Phil is survived by two brothers, Gerald Wayne Heberer and his wife, Kathy, of Phoenix, AZ, and Garry Lee Heberer and his wife, Sharman, of Golden Valley, AZ; by 2 daughters, Michaela Cousins of Round Rock, TX, Patricia Jean Tribble and her husband, Denver Allan Tribble of TX; 2 step-sons, Matthew W. Reed and Christopher M. Reed, both of Pella, Iowa. He has 3 grandsons and 1 granddaughter, Timothy Cousins, Anthony Heberer, Denver Alan Tribble Jr, and Krista Ibarra, all of TX, and step-granddaughters Aleasha Reed of Omaha, NE and Shaylynn Pech of Colorado, Springs, CO. He has 5 great-grandchildren and 3step-great- grandchildren. He also has 4nieces, Kimberly Heberer, Keli Heberer, and Kristen Varvais who reside in Iowa, and Teresa Hulvey of California.
Graveside services with military honors and burial will be in the Forest Cemetery in Oskaloosa, Iowa, on Saturday, April 15, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. with Reverend Joel Ruisch officiating and Military Honors given by members of the Oskaloosa American Legion and V.F.W. A procession will form at 9:30 Saturday morning at the Bates Funeral Chapel for those wishing to attend the graveside service. As was Phil’s wish his body has been cremated. The Bates Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements. Visitation will begin Friday, April 14, 2023, after 11 a.m. in the Bates Funeral Chapel and the family will be at the funeral chapel from 5-7 Friday evening to greet friends and relatives. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to local charities of choice.
