Willis A. Roose, 96, passed away May 22, 2021. He was born October 17, 1924 in a farm house in rural Marshall County, Indiana. A few years later, his late wife, Betty J. (Heckaman) was born in the same house, and delivered by the same physician.
Willis was a graduate of Nappanee High School and the Purdue University School of Pharmacy. He also attended Ball State University and the University of Notre Dame. Upon graduation, he was employed by a major pharmaceutical manufacturer as a sales representative, served briefly as a retail pharmacist, and then was the Director of the Division of Drug Control for the Indiana State Board of Health for thirty years. During World War II, he served as a Navy Pharmacist’s Mate with the Marine Corps, seeing duty in the Marshall Islands and Iwo Jima.
Wherever he lived, he always sang in the church choir: Nappanee, Muncie, West Lafayette, Michigan City, Indianapolis, The Church of the Lakes at Sweetwater Lake, Trafalgar, and Hoosier Village of Zionsville.
Willis was a Master Mason, a member of the Scottish Rite, and the Murat Shrine where he served for thirty years as the emcee of all Ceremonials for the Directors Staff.
After retirement, he and his wife, Betty moved to Sweetwater Lake in Brown County and later to Hoosier Village of Zionsville. Willis wrote poetry for all occasions, including the annual Christmas letter; the total would approach thousands.
Willis is survived by his grandchildren, Ryan J. (Ashley) Roose and Amy N. (Quinton) Roose Mares; great grandchildren, Ryder and Sawyer. He was preceded in death by his wife, Betty in June of 2020; daughter, Rebecca, and son, Randall.
Private family interment will be at Bremen Cemetery, Bremen, Indiana.
Leppert Mortuary – Nora Chapel, Indianapolis, Indiana assisting with arrangements. To share a memory or condolence, please visit www.leppertmortuary.com.
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