23-Sep-2003

Purple Heart

Oak Hill Cemetery, w/full military graveside service by Vanderburgh County Retired Veterans.

Mr. Hebbeler retired in 1979 after 26 years as an Evansville firefighter and also worked at Meisler Carthage. He was employed at Finke Furniture, where he met his future wife, Avanelle Postlethweight. Elmer was a WWII Army veteran, serving as a member of the 2nd Ranger Battalion, Company C. His unit was the first to hit Omaha Beach on D-Day. It was also the company upon which the movie, "Saving Private Ryan" was based. He had the opportunity to go back to Normandy and was present at the 50th anniversary of D-Day where President Reagan gave an address at Pointe du Hoc. He was a member of the Vanderburgh County Retired Veterans Club, U.S. Army 2nd Ranger Battalion, the Retired Police & Fireman's Association, the National Ranger Battalions Association, the Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin Ranger's Chapter, the Ranger's Michigan Ohio Valley Chapter, VFW Post 1114, the American Legion and a lifetime member of St. Lucas United Church of Christ.