E. Earl Roland

E. Earl Roland, 90, of Springfield, died on Monday, May 13, 2013. Earl was born August 19, 1922, on a farm near Rensselaer, MO. He was the son of Jesse and Floy Saylor Mull Roland. He married Violet Whitwell in 1944; she died in August of 1951 in Moberly, MO. He later married Mary Lois Sanders in Kirkwood, MO. She preceded him in death after 50 years of marriage. He was also preceded in death by one son, Robert Whitwell Roland, and six siblings. Earl graduated from Hannibal High School and Hannibal LaGrange University, where the Fine Arts Center and the Library are named for him, as he was a major contributor to the school. He began his business career as a salesman in 1944, after naval service in World War II. He then moved to Springfield in 1958 where he co-founded McElroy-Roland Machinery Company. He became active in Westminster Presbyterian Church as an Elder and served as a board member at First National Bank; as Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce; and, as a board member at Illini Country Club, where he was an avid golfer. He was also on the board of Contact Ministries, as well as Kemmerer Village, and was a contributor to many area charities. He is survived by his wife, Ruth W. Robert Roland of Springfield, whom he married in January, 2004; three sons, Raymond (wife, Mary Beth) Roland of Springfield, Martin (wife, Kathy) Roland of Punta Gordo, FL, and Ed (wife, Betsy) Roland of Chatham, NJ; one daughter, Patricia Mees of Springfield; stepchildren, Ann, Jane and Susan Robert; 10 grandchildren; 7 great-grandchildren and sister, Janann Hedberg of Centralia, MO. Visitation: Family will receive friends from 4:00-7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, May 15, 2013 at Kirlin-Egan and Butler Funeral Home, 900 S. 6th St., Springfield. Funeral: 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, May 16, 2013 at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 533 S. Walnut St., Springfield, with Reverend Julie Wells Blythe officiating. Entombment will follow at the Oak Ridge Cemetery Mausoleum. Memorial contributions may be made to: Contact Ministries, 1100 E. Adams St., Springfield, IL 62703.