John Frank Roedel, 93, of Loogootee, passed away at 11:14 a.m. Wednesday, August 12, 2020 at Daviess Community Hospital.
He was born March 15, 1927 in Craighead Co., Arkansas to Frank Jacob Roedel and Mina Mabel (Duncan) Roedel.
John married Carolyn May (Allen) Longworth on March 16, 1958 in Grundy Co., IL and she preceded him in death.
John joined the Air Force in January of 1946. He was at Eglin Airforce Base in Florida and was part of the 1st Experimental Guided Missiles Group working with the JB-2 missile. After serving in the military he worked at the Joliet Arsenal in Joliet, IL and then transferred to the Crane Naval Base in Crane, IN from which he retired. After retiring he enjoyed making bird houses and wood working. He enjoyed fishing and liked to tell stories. He will be sadly missed by his family and friends.
He was preceded in death by his wife Carolyn in 2011 along with his parents and 12 siblings. Rufus Roedel, Louisa Anna Roedel, Theodore Roedel, Willard Roedel, Howard Roedel killed in Battle of the Bulge, Roy Roedel, William Roedel, Cecil Roedel, Floyd Roedel killed in Normandy Invasion, Mary Jean (Roedel) Tolbert, Leona (Roedel) Render and Henry Roedel.
John is survived by two daughters, Mary Ann (Roedel) Smith and husband Bernie, and Monica Lynn Roedel and boyfriend Rick Gallagher. He has one stepdaughter Mildred Lee (Longworth) Strawn of Sebring, FL and husband Mike and one stepson William Stephen Longworth and wife Gale (Mattingly) of Chillicothe, MO. He is survived by 6 grandchildren Mallory (Smith) Cotterman and husband Joshua, Thomas “Sonny” Strawn and wife Andrea, Richard Strawn and wife Autumn, Kim (Longworth) Voellinger, and Tammy (Longworth) George and husband Bill. He has 8 great grandchildren: Bailey and Emma Voellinger, Kathryn and Sarah George, Oliver and Loxley Cotterman, Macey Baxter and Grace Hadley.
Funeral services will be conducted at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, August 15, 2020 at Blake Funeral Home in Loogootee. Burial will follow in the Hindostan United Methodist Church Cemetery.
Visitation will be held Saturday, August 15, 2020 from 9:00 a.m. until the time of service at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hindostan United Methodist Church Cemetery Fund.
The family requests that masks be worn by everyone in attendance.
Condolences may be made online at www.blakefuneralhomes.com
