Born in Chicago on March 12, 1934 he was the cherished son of the late August F. and Frances E. Roller. Dear brother of the late Bob, August “Bud” (Geraldine), the late Jim (Irma), the late Mary, the late Tom, the late John, and Brother Richard. Cherished uncle to 26 nieces and nephews.
Father John entered the Chicago Archbishop Quigley Preparatory Seminary in 1948 and later attended St. Mary of the Lake Mundelein Seminary in 1953.
He was called to priesthood and ordained by the late Albert Cardinal Meyer on May 3, 1960. Father John Celebrated his 65th anniversary and completed his final mass on May 3, 2025. Throughout his priesthood career he served at eight different parishes in the Chicago area. Santa María del Popolo in Mundelein, St. Luke in River Forest, St. Ann in Lansing, St. Benedict in Chicago, St. Athanasius in Evanston, St. Theresa in Palatine, St. Thomas Becket in Mt. Prospect, and St. Emily in Mt. Prospect.
In lieu of flowers donations in Father John W. Roller’s name can be made to Little Sisters of the Poor to honor his mother Frances E. Roller. Link: https://littlesistersofthepoorpalatine.org/donate/
Livestream of Fr. John's funeral mass can be accessed using the following link:
https://youtube.com/live/gJWOgrFaRIo?feature=share
You can also find it on the St. Emily facebook and youtube page.
A visitation is planned for Thursday, July 3rd, 2025, from 12 PM- 4 PM, at St. Emily Catholic Church, 1400 E Central Rd, Mt. Prospect, IL 60056. There will be another visitation starting at 9:30 AM on Saturday, July 5th, 2025, followed by a funeral mass at 10:30 AM, at St. Emily Catholic Church. Interment will follow at Mount Carmel Catholic Cemetery in Hillside, IL.
