Evelyn Edith Heller, 89, of Geneseo, died Monday, Jan. 11, 2010, at her home. A memorial service celebrating her life will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Jan. 15, at First Congregational Church, Geneseo. The Rev. Bruce Bergthold will officiate. A luncheon for family and friends will be served at the church following the ceremony. Cremation rites have been accorded and inurnment will be in Oakwood Cemetery, Geneseo, in the spring. Memorials may be made to the National Parkinson’s Foundation. Vandemore Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Geneseo, is in charge of arrangements.

She was born Oct. 11, 1920, in Geneseo, the daughter of Rowland Brown and Flossie (Kirchner) Brown. She attended elementary schools in Moline, Rockford and Geneseo. She graduated from Geneseo High School in 1939 and studied at Northwestern State Teachers College in Alva, Okla., and at Augustana College, Rock Island. She married Loren Heller Oct. 25, 1940, at Grace Church, Geneseo. They lived in Geneseo for most of their 69 year marriage. She was a member of First Congregational Church and was active in many community events and organizations including the Geneseo Music Club, DAR, Columbian Club, PEO and Eastern Star. She was a talented contralto soloist and for many years sang in the Grace Church choir and for church and community events.

Survivors include her husband, Loren; a daughter and spouse, Mary and Peter Gajewski of Winnetka, and grandchildren, Katherine Gajewski of Philadelphia and Nicholas Gajewski of Chicago. She was preceded in death by a son, Ivan Heller, who died in Vietnam in 1968.