Taylor County, TX - Obituary - Ed Heller **************************************************************************** This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: Dorman Holub Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm **************************************************************************** The Abilene Reporter News September 6, 1940 Ed Heller, 62, water well driller and farmer was found dead shortly after noon Thursday hanging by a rope from a rafter in an old abandoned farm house seven miles north of Tuscola near Cedar Gap. Heller was discovered by Guy Hawkins of the Cedar Gap community after the dead manŐs son, Frank, with whom he lived summoned neighbors. County Attorney Esco Walter and Deputy sheriff Phillip Diltz quoted the son as saying despondency prompted the act. He had been depressed and moody since a son, Staiton Heller, his wife and a friend, J.C. Buchanan, were fatally burned 29 January 1937, when young HellerŐs farm home at Cedar Gap accidentally caught fire. Crude Note Found A crude note found under the pillows of the dead manŐs bed directed searchers to the scene. The note scribbled on a tablet sheet, said Ň1-2 mile SW.Ó The house was located that distance southwest of the Frank Heller home. The son felt his father had been dead since Wednesday night. The two had returned from Tuscola Wednesday night in company with J.M. Miller, grandson of the elder Heller and nephew of Frank. Ed F. Heller spent most of his life in the Cedar Gap community moving away several years ago to Nolan county and returning eight months ago to his old home. Survivors are his children: Mrs. Clara Miller, Mrs. Ella Livingston of Abilene, Mrs. Irene Goin of Okmulgee, OK, J.F. Heller of Tuscola, Mrs. Mozella Wood of Odessa, Mrs. Nora Sanders of Ardmore, OK; 29 grandchildren; 1 great grandchild. Funeral held at the Buffalo Gap cemetery with burial in charge of Kiker-Knight mortuary.