Howard Reese Roeder (90) passed away on November 18, 2018 at the Owens Hospice Center in Peoria, Illinois. He was born March 19, 1928, to Howard M. and Mildred Young Roeder in Evansville, Indiana. He married Joan Severns in Peoria on March 19, 1953. She survives him. He was preceded in death by his parents and a son, Howard Michael. He spent his youth “raising cain” in Deer Creek, Illinois with good friends, Gib Landes and Bob Newlin.
After graduating from Deer Creek High School he went on to receive a degree from Bradley University. He was a member of Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity. His early employment opportunities came as a lifeguard at Twin Lakes in Pekin, Illinois and a dance instructor at Arthur Murray Studios. This led to a life-long love for the Jitterbug and Big Band music. His true forte was in sales. He honed his skills at Pepsodent, Helene Curtis, the Peoria Journal Star and Multi-Ad Services. At Multi-Ad he conducted hundreds of seminars and training sessions in the United States and Canada on advertising layout techniques and co-op advertising. He retired from Multi-Ad as Vice-President of Sales in 1988.
Retirement gave him the opportunity to pursue his true passion…golf. He was a member of Timberlake Club where he has served as a president on the Club Board and was a member of Birdie Chasers (traveling golf group). He was the senior club golf champion in 2008 at the age of 80. He was also a former member of the Illinois Valley Yacht and Canoe Club, where he was active in the Coast Guard Auxiliary, advancing to become Rear Commodore North in the boating safety organization.
In addition to his wife of 65 years, he is survived by his daughter Catherine Schultz, son William (Ruth) Roeder, grandchildren: Lindsay (Chris) Wasocwicz, Lauren Schultz, Jessie Roeder, Leslie (Chris) Rothan, Billy Roeder, six great-grandchildren, his sister Joan Van Hecke of Davenport, Iowa, and her children.
Private family services will be handled by Davison-Fulton Bartonville Chapel. A public Celebration of Life will be held on Wednesday, November 21st from 4-7 PM at Timberlake Club.
Memorials may be made to Timberlake Club or to a charity of your choice.
