panleigh2 said:

I loaned my heroes to friends in my coa, but some of them have stopped playing.  Is there any way I can claim them back.  I have waited, hoping that these dead cities would get attacked and kill off my loaned Heroes, but that isn't happening.

Go to the Garrisons tab at the War Council, find the player's city and select "recall" to bring home your troops :-)

Cheers
P.