It was our honor to be his daughters and hold his hands as he left this earth and moved on to heaven to be with his Heavenly Father. Our father will be remembered as a soft-spoken and extremely kind man who loved the Lord with all his heart. He dedicated his life to God, the love of his life, Margaret, and his two daughters and their families. He was just one of those “super-good guys”. Kenneth J. Roe passed away on Friday, May 25, at Oaklawn Hospital in Marshall at the age of 87.
Kenneth enjoyed a long and happy life. The highlight of his life was his undying love for his wife, Margaret. This certainly was his one-true love and an unforgettable love story. Kenneth and Margaret Lewis met while in high school. It was love at first sight. They dated through high school. They both graduated from Athens High School in 1942. They were married on December 7, 1942 at his brother’s home near Fulton. They have celebrated 69 years of marriage.
Kenneth was the son of Howard and Mary (Martin) Roe born on July 5, 1924. He spent his early childhood living in Scotts. His family then moved to a farm near East Leroy. Kenneth grew up on that farm and after marriage moved into his own farm just down the road. He spent many years farming with his two brothers Harold and Wilbur. In 1950, he began working for the Kellogg Company as a production worker. He retired from Kelloggs in 1986 with 35 years of service. While at Kelloggs, he was an elder of the Kellogg Christian Fellowship. He is a member of the Kellogg 25-Year Club.
Kenneth would be the first to tell you that his first love in life was the Lord Jesus Christ followed by his dedication and love to Margaret. Margaret’s happiness was always at the center of his life. He and Margaret were devoted parents to their daughters Carol and Sandy. His family and his church were definitely the centers of his life.
Kenneth and Margaret have been founding fathers and active members for over 65 years of the Wakeshma Community Church. His great-grandfather, Jeremiah Roe, donated the land for the original Wakeshma United Brethren Church. When the church was struggling in its early years, Ken and Margaret worked faithfully to keep the church doors open. They have both served on the church board, been Sunday School teachers, and served in many other capacities of service to the church.
He has been a life-long Chicago Cub fan. He has never given up in his belief that this will be the year for the Cubs.
Ken is survived by his wife Margaret (Lewis) Roe; his daughter, Carol (Robert) Milliken, of Marshall, Michigan; and his daughter, Sandy (Doug) Miller of Green Bay, Wisconsin. He is survived by five grandchildren: Chad Miller of Eau Claire, Wisconsin, Mark (Jaime) Miller of Adams, Wisconsin, Andrew Miller of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Michelle (Eric) Wiser of Arlington Heights, Illinois, and Kristin (Carlos) Parreno of Las Vegas, Nevada. There are five great-grandchildren: Taylor, Kailey, and Emmalyn Miller, Jaxson Parreno, and Lillian Wiser. He is also survived by his special nephew-son Larry Roe of Athens.
Kenneth’s family wants to pay a special tribute to Dr. James Maher, Oaklawn Hospital Critical Care nurses as well as nurses on the third floor, along with Oaklawn Hospice for really caring about all of us.
Funeral arrangements are being handled by Richard A. Henry Funeral Home in Battle Creek where there will be a visitation on Wednesday, May 30 from 1-3 p.m. Following the visitation, at 3 p.m., there will be a memorial service celebrating Kenneth’s life. The service will be conducted by Rev. David Mackaluso of the Wakeshma Community Church. Burial site will be the North Fulton Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made at the funeral home to the Wakeshma Community Church or the Marshall Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.