Shem is a native of Pennsylvania born in Lebanon, Pennsylvania to the late Wilbur S. and Gloria Maxine (Herr) Heller on January 4, 1958. He is one of seven children, 4 daughters and 3 sons, and he is the eldest son but the third child of Wilbur and Gloria. Shem’s family moved to Hershey in 1962. Shem graduated from Hershey High School in 1975. In March of 1975 he enlisted in the United States Navy through the Delayed Enlistment Program. He served eight and one half years on active duty with the Navy. Upon honorable discharge from active duty, Shem joined the Navy Reserves and served in the Navy Reserves for over twenty-one years, retiring in September 2005.
He received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology from Dallas Baptist University, Dallas, Texas in May 1988. Shem is currently working on his Master of Arts Degree in Management through Dallas Baptist University’s on-line degree program.
Shem began working in the human services field in February 1990 as a mental health technician in a psychiatric and substance abuse treatment center in Texas. He continued his work in human services until August 2009 when he began working on his Master’s Degree. Shem’s work history includes work as a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor, a Drug & Alcohol Behavioral Health Technician, a Wraparound Therapeutic Staff Support, a Crisis Intervention Counselor, a Mental Health Caseworker 2 and the Director of Mental Health Services for Lebanon County Mental Health /Mental Retardation/Early Intervention Program.
Shem is currently involved in community support via the Community Health Council of Lebanon County, the Lebanon County Disaster Crisis Outreach and Referral Team (DCORT) and the Lebanon County Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) team.
Shem and his wife, Suzanne, live in the city of Lebanon. They have three children, Jonathan, Daniel, and Catherine, a daughter-in-law, Phoebe, three grandsons, Noah, Dylan and Jonah and are awaiting the birth of our first granddaughter.