HEFFNER, ROBERT E.

A childhood romance was ended yesterday with the report of the death of Private First Class Robert E. Heffner, a Marine. Private Heffner, 19 years old, was wounded fatally in action in the South Pacific several weeks ago [November 3, 1943].

His parents, Mrs. James Field 218 East Ninth Street, Newport and Herbert Heffner, 316 Stokesay Avenue, Ludlow, were notified of his death yesterday.

When attending Newport High School, Heffner became acquainted with Miss Gloria Lee Welsh, daughter of Mr. and Mrs Robert Welsh, 406 East Seventh Street, Newport. When he enlisted in the Marine Corps last January, they became engaged.

After receiving his training at San Diego, Cal., Private Heffner notified Miss Welsh last August that he had been assigned to foreign service and it was arranged that they should be married before he left. Miss Walsh became ill, however, and was unable to make the trip. Her fiancé was sent to the South Pacific war zone a few days later.

A recent letter received by the parents disclosed that Private Heffner and his brother, Private Arthur Heffner, were reunited at a South Pacific base. The latter has been a Marine since April 1942.