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Obituary for Edward R. Roller
Edward R. Roller, age 72, of Austin, TX (formerly of Oakland, IL), went home to be with the Lord on Thursday, November 2, 2017 at Heartland Health Care Center-Austin in Austin, TX.
Ed was born May 3, 1945 in Tuscola, IL to Leoma Roller Allison and Raymond Roller. He was preceded in death by his mother Leoma Allison, his step-father Wilson Allison, his step-brother David Allison, and his father Raymond Roller. He is survived by his sister, Ruth A. Davis of Austin, TX; two nieces – Jodi Rivas and Crystal Davis, five great nieces and nephews, and four great great nieces and nephews, all from the Austin, TX area. Ed is also survived by step-brother Walter (Diane) Allison and step-sister Shirley Tyler.
Eddie grew up in a farm community where it really was “it takes a village” to raise a child. He was under the eyes of the guys at the gas stations, the high school boys talking “cars” , and many others. All the dogs in town loved him and followed him home from his daily visits to various stores, gas stations and of course the bakery. He used to stop by the drug store and look at all the new hot rod magazines. As an adult he preferred Ed over Eddie. Ed Roller was the # 1 Fan of the stock car races in Charleston per the race car drivers. They presented him a plaque and photo for 35 years of being the best fan in the pit at the races. He cheered them on Saturday night after Saturday night.
“Oakland's American Graffitti” is how Ed has been described by Steve Parsley, of Steve & Shirley's. Ed had a love for all kinds of cars (race cars, old cars, classic cars, new cars...you name the car, he could tell you all about it.) Chevy was his favorite. He also was a big fan of the local band, The Demons, and enjoyed all kinds of music like gospel, hard rock, rock and roll, church music (his favorite) and even the Three Tenors.
One of his classmates, Doug Elwell, wrote a story about Ed in the local paper a few years back. He shared with the community how Eddie played the piano in music class in grade school and it's impact on him and their classmates. Eddie started playing the piano at the early age of 4 years old. Family members remember Ed and his mom, Lee, sitting at the piano on the piano bench and playing together for hours. Under the Double Eagle was a favorite and the family was a little worried that the bench would give from under them because they were really rocking and rolling it.
Ed was a member of the Oakland Christian Church and often played the piano for the congregation giving his own special praise to his Lord.
Ed worked at CCAR in Charleston for many years. He participated in Special Olympics and won many medals.
Ed Roller was a great guy and had a good life with his friends and family. We will all miss him.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, November 9, 2017 from 5:00pm to 7:00pm at Krabel Funeral Home in Oakland, IL. Funeral services will be held on Friday, November 10, 2017 at 11:00 am. Burial will follow at the Oakland Cemetery. For those who wish, memorials may be made to the Oakland Christian Church.
