Roger H. May

Roger H. May, 91, of Circleville, passed away Monday, April 28, 2014 at the OSU Medical Center in Columbus. He was born November 12, 1922 in Pickaway Twp., the only child of the late Ralph Emerson and Mary (Hitler) May. Roger was also preceded in death by his son-in-law, Dr. Tom McDonald.

Roger graduated from Pickaway Twp. High School in 1940 and attended The Ohio State University. He left college to assist with his father’s farming operation.

A World War II Army veteran, Roger entered the service in 1944 and earned the rank of SGT before receiving an honorable discharge in 1946.

Roger is survived by his loving wife, Mary “Markie” Hamman May whom he married on April 12, 1947; his 4 daughters, Valerie (Rick) Steinau of Cincinnati, Nancy McDonald of Orlando, FL, Shelley (Roger) Rittenhouse of Pleasanton, CA and Laurie (Matt) Bell of Lathrup Village, MI; grandchildren, Peter and Jay Steinau, T.R. (Christy) McDonald, Jonathan McDonald, Lindsey (Mark) Lesar, Kristen Rittenhouse, Natalie, Evan and Eric Bell; and 5 great-grandchildren.

Roger loved people. He was energized by his friends and was always quick to help others. He taught his daughters by the example he set in treating others equally and fairly and being a good listener without being judgmental. He never met a stranger and was known, more than once, to hold a conversation and make a new friend over the telephone when the caller had reached Roger by dialing the wrong number.

A man of great faith who loved the Lord, Roger was a member of Community United Methodist Church. He lived his life serving others in the hopes of making Pickaway County and the world a better place to live and did so through his involvement in many organizations, throughout the years, including: The Junior Chamber of Commerce (JC’s), life member of the Elks, 67 year member of Pickaway Lodge #23 F& AM, Aladdin Shriners International, Ohio Expo Commission (served 6 years), life member of AMVETS Post 2256, Pickaway Co. Soldiers Monumental Association, Circleville Twp. Trustee, Hitler-Ludwig Cemetery Board, 4H Club Foundation Member, OSU President’s Club, 25 year member of the Circleville Noon Rotary, Paul Harris Fellowship, Vero Beach Rotary Club member and Vero Beach Hospital Foundation member.

Funeral service will be held at 10:00 A.M. Saturday, May 3, 2014 at Community United Methodist Church, 120 N. Pickaway St., Circleville with Pastor Barry Burns officiating. Burial will be in Hitler-Ludwig Cemetery with military service provided by AMVETS Post 2256 Honor Guard. Friends may call from 1:00-3:00 PM and 5:00 – 7:00 PM on Friday at Defenbaugh-Wise-Schoedinger Funeral Home, Circleville.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be made to Pickaway Co., Community Foundation, P.O. Box 3, Circleville, OH 43113.

Visit www.schoedinger.com to share a memory of Roger.