Kenneth R. Roland

Kenneth R. Roland, age 92, of Gravois Mills, passed away, Saturday, June 7, 2014, at Good Shepherd Care Center in Versailles. He was born March 6, 1922, in Sheldon, MO, a son of Gaylord E. and Rhoda M. Shepherd Roland. On June 30, 1946, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Kansas City, Kenneth was united in marriage to Venona Hafemeister, who survives at their home. He graduated from Sheldon High School in 1940 then attended Springfield Business College. He taught all eight grades at a one-room school for one year riding his horse each day.
Kenneth enlisted in the Navy and served part of his time in the Admiralty Islands in the post office as a censor for a twenty-two month stretch. He was discharged on March, 1946. He remained in the US Navy Reserves and during the Korean Conflict was called back into the service of his country in September, 1950. He was stationed in Honolulu, HI as a radioman until his discharge in May, 1952. His wife and infant daughter were able to join him during this time. Following his military service, Kenneth worked with Rock Island Railroad for 20 years. For more than 22 years he sold American Family Insurance in the Stover/Versailles area. After retiring from his insurance business, he became affiliated with Pioneer Restaurant in Versailles until his health required another retirement. He was a faithful member of Christ Lutheran Church in Stover. He had been a volunteer with the Stover Boy Scout troop and an active member of Stover Lions Club and a former member of the American Legion Post.
In addition to his wife of nearly 68 years, he is survived by two daughters and sons-in-law, Ruth and John Leeper of Versailles and Karen and Jerry Case of Sedalia; one brother, Harold R. Roland of Belleview, Texas; nine grandchildren and their spouses, Becky and Aaron Cooper, Tom and Jenny Leeper, Jim and Sanam Leeper, Jim and Katie Case, Jill and Robert Newton, Lisa and Andrew Bixler, Lori and Brandon Hurt, Tim and Erica Leeper and Matt and Carolyn Siegel, seventeen great grandchildren, along with nieces, nephews, other relatives and a host of friends. Kenneth was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Jerrell E. Roland. Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, June 11, at Christ Lutheran Church in Stover with Pastor Tom Tuura officiating. Interment, with military honors rendered by Galloway-Martens American Legion Post 343 in Stover, will be in the West Lawn Addition of Versailles Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 5:00 - 8:00 p.m. Tuesday, June 10, at the Scrivner-Morrow Funeral Home in Versailles. Memorial contributions are suggested to Christ Lutheran Church in Stover, St. Paul Lutheran School in Stover or a charity of the donor's choice.

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