Robb Jeremy (Nissley) Heppner was born in Glendive, Montana on September 25th, 1981 to parents Dennis and Laura Nissley and older brother Tad. After the passing of Robb’s father in 1982, Laura and her two boys moved to Salem, Oregon.
Robb was adopted by Laura’s 2nd husband, Mark Heppner, in 1988 and his brother, Dustin, was born in 1989. Robb graduated in 2000 from South Salem High School. He went to his parents’ alma mater, Hesston College, in Kansas before graduating with a degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Management and Marketing from Bluffton University of Ohio. During his time in Bluffton he met Abby (Monnin) Heppner who would later become his wife.
Robb and Abby were wed May 10th, 2008 in a small church in Hawaii. They lived their first married year in St. Louis, Missouri while Abby finished her chiropractic degree. Robb began his career with US Bank as a bank teller in St. Louis before working his way up in the bank and transferring to Salem, Oregon where they intended to set down roots and start a family.
Robb and Abby were blessed with their first child, Eli Jeremy Heppner in May 2014. Robb continued his successful banking career by becoming Branch Manager of the Sunnyslope Branch of US Bank from 2014-2016. Their second son, Ezekiel “Zeke” John Heppner was born in October 2017.
Robb’s faith grew strong as he battled glioblastoma brain cancer in the last years of his life. He was baptized at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Nov. 2017.
Robb was preceded in death by two fathers, Dennis Nissley in 1982 and Mark Heppner in January 2018. Robb is survived by his wife Abby, his sons Eli (4 years old) and Zeke (11 months), older brother Tad and fiancé Petronella Kettunen of Gothenburg, Sweden; his younger brother, Dustin, and mother, Laura Heppner both of Independence, Oregon and many friends and extended family members.
Memorial visitation will be held at Johnson Funeral Home in Salem, OR, on Tuesday, September 11th from 4:00-7:00pm and a memorial mass will be held at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church on Wednesday, September 12th at 10:00am with a burial service to follow at City View Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations to the family are much appreciated to offset the cost of the boys’ education.
Memorial Visitation
Tuesday, September 11th 4:00-7:00pm
Johnson Funeral Home
134 Missouri Ave S Salem, OR 97302
Memorial Mass
Wednesday, September 12th, 2018 10:00am
St. Joseph’s Catholic Church
721 Chemeketa St NE, Salem, OR 97301
Burial service to follow at City View Cemetery
Donations to the Family can be made to Abigail Heppner
PO Box 3079 Salem, OR 97302
Memo: Eli & Zeke
Our thoughts are with you at this time of great loss. We send our love and pray you all feel the Deep Love of God now and throughout the days ahead.
My thoughts and prayers are with all family members as you experience this loss of a loved family member.
Abby our thoughts are with you and your family. All the best to your family as you deal with Robb's passing.
Dear Laura I just want to express my sympathy I can not imagine the pain you and your family is going through. My love and prayers are with you - wish I could give you a hug right now
I learned to love him in a short time as his caregiver.
Abby and family you are in our prayers!
Abby, I can't even imagine what you're going through, or how you feel. Just know that I am thinking of you and praying that you feel and know God's presence.
Abby I cannot be with you in person but I’m with you in my thoughts and prayers always .
It was such a pleasure working with Robb. He was a great man.
It was such a pleasure working with Robb. He was a great man. My condolence to your family.