Lavern W. "Vern" Roller

LaVern W. “Vern” Roller, 92, of Ottawa, Kansas, passed away Tuesday, July 20, 2021, at Homestead Assisted Living & Memory Care of Eudora. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 A.M., Monday, July 26, 2021, at Dengel & Son Mortuary, Ottawa. Family will meet with friends from 10:00 A.M. to 10:30 A.M., Monday prior to the service. Interment Highland Cemetery, Ottawa, with military honors by Fort Riley Honor Guard. Vern was born August 21, 1928, in Spring Hill, Kansas, the son of Frank and Bertha (Payne) Roller. He was a near lifelong Ottawa/Franklin County resident. Vern attended rural schools in Johnson and Franklin County and graduated from Appanoose High School with the class of 1947. On August 21, 1949, Vern was united in marriage to Cleda Johnson in Paola, Kansas. They were blessed with two children, Corla and Brian. She preceded him in death on March 5, 1975. He was married to Frances Diamond December 21, 1979, in Ottawa. Vern served in the United States Army from November 1954 to October 22, 1956, stationed in Korea, receiving the Good Conduct Medal. He was employed with the City of Ottawa as a mechanic, retiring in 1994. Vern attended North Baptist Church in Ottawa. He was a member of Night Crawlers Camping Club, Chippewa Good Sam’s, and the Kaw Valley Car Club. Vern enjoyed camping, hunting, bowling, and restoring cars (especially his 1953 Studebaker). Above all, he loved the time spent with his family and grandchildren. He was also preceded in death by his parents, and brother Bernard Roller. Survivors include his wife Frances Roller of Wellsville; two children, Corla Ladner of Topeka and Brian (Linda) Roller of Ottawa; three grandchildren, Ivy (Tony) Dibbern, Ali (Brett) Ellis, and Emy Ladner all of Topeka; and two great-grandchildren, Harper Dibbern and John Ellis both of Topeka; one stepdaughter, four step grandchildren, seven step great-grandchildren, and two step great-great-grandchildren. The family suggests memorial contributions to North Baptist Church c/o Dengel & Son Mortuary, 235 S. Hickory, Ottawa, Kansas 66067.