In memory of

Robb Jeremy Heppner

Sep 25, 1981
Sep 5, 2018

Obituary

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.

Service Information

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

Messages of Sympathy

  1. Steve Roth says:

    My thoughts and prayers are with you Abby, your boys, family and friends. I only knew Robb for a short time and was proud to call him my friend. I will always cherish the memory of the many trips we had together to and from Starbucks. I pray that God's love surrounds you and brings to you and all who loved Robb… peace, strength, comfort and healing now and in the future.

  2. Mary Jane Bender says:

    Thinking of you so much on this day and praying for strength today and in the coming days. I had the rare privilege of meeting Robb in his work setting at the bank and a brief chat while visiting in Oregon. So glad Laura we stopped in! I thought of him often during this journey. Heartfelt prayers to Abby and the family. Love Always Mary Jane

  3. Diaz family says:

    Oh, I am so sorry to hear this. Our family will be thinking of you, Abby, and the kids.

  4. The Steeles says:

    I’m so sorry to hear this. We, as your next door neighbors, never said anything to maintain your privacy, but thought if you all often. Our condolences.

  5. JC & Leslie Jensen says:

    Abbey love and prayers for you and your sweet family. May you find peace and comfort in the coming days.

  6. Lauren and Darin Olson says:

    Our thoughts and prayers are with Abby, Eli, Zeke and family. It has been a long road and our deepest condolences for the loss of both husband and father. Sending love, prayers and hopes for peace to you.

  7. John Whitfield says:

    Sending love, Abby. Deepest sympathies.

  8. Mary says:

    To the Heppner family, my heartfelt condolences for your loss of your loved one. As you cope with your loss, may you find comfort in knowing that God promises to put an end to all the things that have plagued mankind for centuries including pain and death (Rev 21:3,4). May these promises from God's word, the Bible give you comfort now and real hope for the future. My deepest sympathy.

  9. Robert and Diane Lee says:

    Dear Abby, Eli, Zeke, Laura and Robb's two brothers, we had the great pleasure of getting to know Robb several years ago when he began coming to our dental office. Over time, he shared with us many of his life's experiences. He was always so proud of his dear wife Abby. We shared in his excitement and joy when Eli came along, and then the miracle of Zeke too. We pray that you will feel the comfort of our Heavenly Father and our Redeemer Jesus Christ. He will be greatly missed❤️

  10. Yvonne Garber says:

    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.

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