Gene Roller Obituary, Death – ROLLER, Francis Eugene “Gene” On December 22, 2022, at the age of 87, a resident of Springfield passed away. On October 15, 1935, he came into the world as the son of Robert E. Roller and Ethel (Riffle) Roller. He attended Springfield schools all his life, graduating from Springfield High School in 1953 and Wittenberg University in 1957. He has lived in Springfield his entire life. After completing his time in the United States Army, during which he served both in Italy and in the United States Army Reserves, he came back to Wittenberg to take a job in the Office of the Registrar.
In 1966, he was promoted to the position of University Registrar, which he maintained until the year 2000, when he finally decided to retire after having worked for Wittenberg for a total of 38 years. Gene was a dedicated follower of the Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church where he served in a variety of leadership capacities over the course of his membership there. Additionally, he was a member of the governing board of the Ohio Synod of the ELCA. He was a member of the Clark County Genealogical Society as well as the Clark County Historical Society.
In addition, he was a member of the First Families Society. The past president of Lutheran Community Services, a current member of the Oesterlen Board, a poll worker for the Clark County Board of Elections, and a docent at the Heritage Center of Clark County are all examples of the ways in which he has served his community. As a result of his work as a literacy instructor at the Clark County Literacy Center, he was honored with the Edith E. Stager Memorial Award. Gene’s passions included his family, the history of the Civil War, traveling, and trains.
In addition to his wife of 56 years, Elaine (Fackler) Roller, he is survived by his daughters Kimberly (Paul) Handrock of Carmel, Indiana, and Lynda (David) Farrell of Springfield, as well as his grandchildren Alex and Kathryn Handrock, Evan and Collin Farrell. He passed away on April 15, 2019. His maternal grandmother, Nettie (Donnelly) Roller, and his maternal aunt, Frances Roller, both passed away before he was born. His parents were the only members of his immediate family to survive his birth.
On Thursday, December 29, visitation will take place at Grace Lutheran Church from 9:30 am until 11:30 am. The church is located at 1801 St. Paris Pike in Springfield. At 11:30 in the morning, we will begin the funeral services at the church. After the service, burial will take place at Ferncliff Cemetery. Donations in lieu of flowers can be sent to the Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church or the Wittenberg University Advancement Office at the following address: Box 720, Springfield, Ohio 45501.