Staff writer
A house being built on South Ash Street in Hillsboro is one of six or seven that are under construction in Marion County.
Owner Larry Heidel, 64, a retired school principal, said he and his wife had discussed building a new house several years ago but it was put on the back burner after she was diagnosed with leukemia. She died a year ago, and Heidel decided to honor her by going ahead with their plans.
The lot on which the house sits was a vacant lot. Heidel said he and his wife were interested in that site for some time, and he finally was able to purchase it five months ago.
He said he saw a picture of the house in a magazine and made slight changes to the floor plan to suit his purposes. He hired a general contractor to oversee construction, which began in July.
Heidel said the house’s most special feature is the eight-foot-wide wrap-around porch. Construction is progressing a little slower than he thought it would. He hopes it will be finished in January and is looking forward to sharing it with his family of three children, six grandchildren, and one great-grandchild.
Heidel grew up in Marion, the son of the late George and Lillian Heidel. He has lived in Hillsboro for 20 years.