A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated May 20 in St. Pius X Church, Forked River, for Deacon James T. Heller who died May 14. He was 99.

Born in Mount Holly, he lived in Linden and Rahway before moving to Waretown in 1980. While in Linden, he was active in St. John the Apostle Parish, and in Rahway, he served as a reader, extraordinary minister of Holy Communion, hospital team ministry, pre-Cana and the liturgy committee in St. Mary Parish.

Upon moving to Waretown, he was accepted into the Diocese of Trenton’s diaconate formation program and was ordained May 12, 1984 by Bishop John C. Reiss and assigned to St. Mary Parish, Barnegat. In June, 1985, he transferred to St. Pius X Parish, Forked River, and served full-time ministry for 22 years.

Along with celebrating Sacraments and assisting at Mass, Deacon Heller ministered t those who were sick, the shut-ins and the dying. In St. Pius X Parish, he was on the advisory board and chaplain to the Holy Name Society. He was a spiritual caregiver to parishioners hospitalized in Southern Ocean County and Community Medical Center and he also served as chaplain in Lacey Nursing Center for 15 years and briefly in Spring Oak Assisted Living. He retired from active ministry in 2007. In recognition of his service as a deacon, an Apostolic Papal Blessing was bestowed on him by Pope Benedict XVI. Prior to his ordination, he worked for 37 years in the book binding industry, employed by Quinn and Boden Co., Rahway, and Quinn Woodbine, Woodbine.

Deacon Heller was predeceased by his parents, Charles and Catherine Heller; his wife, Alice Harraden Heller, a brother and sister. He was survived by a brother-in-law; a daughter and son and their spouses; and several grandchildren and great grandchildren, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.