Roger L. Etzler

Roger L. Etzler, 82, of Angola, Indiana, passed away on April 4, 2017 with his family by his side at the Visiting Nurse and Hospice Home in Fort Wayne, Indiana.

He was born on June 11, 1934 in Fort Wayne, Indiana to Richard E. and Hazel (Miller) Etzler.  He graduated from South Side High School in Fort Wayne in 1952.  He received his Bachelor’s Degree and Master’s Degree in Industrial Education from Ball State University.

Roger married Shirley L. Bender on August 20, 1955.

He was in the US Navy Reserves for 8 years and a member of the Fremont American Legion.

Roger was a teacher for 34 years.  He worked at Klondike Corp. in West Lafayette for 2 years, Snider High School in Fort Wayne, for 4 years, MSD of Steuben County for 7 years and retired from Hamilton School District after 21 years.  He was a Driver’s Education Teacher, a member of the Indiana State Teachers Association, Hamilton Classroom Association and licensed in Diversified Cooperative Education and Vocational Education from Purdue University.  After retiring he worked at Wayside Furniture, Angola.

Roger was a member of Peace Lutheran Church, Fremont, Ball State Alumni Association and Phi Delta Kappa.  He was a lifetime member of the Angola Elks Lodge, Steuben County Community Theater.

He served on the Steuben County Sheriff Reserve and the Steuben County Emergency Medical Service.

He was a House Parent, Instructor and Driver’s Training Instructor for R.I.S.E., Inc. clients.

Roger was a 49 year member and past president of the Land of Lakes Lions Club and District Governor of 25B from 2004-2005.

Surviving is his loving wife of 61 years, Shirley L. Etzler of Angola; sons Kris “K.C.” Etzler of Fremont; two daughters Kim (Ron) Hogan of Angola and Kelli (Ricardo) Rhoads of Surprise, Arizona, brother Richard A. Etzler of Fort Wayne; 5 grandchildren, Rian (Jeremy) Faux of Fort Wayne, Brett (Stacy) Golliff of West Bloomfield, Michigan, Isaac (Megan) Rhoads of Okinawa, Japan, Ethan Rhoads of Tempe, Arizona and Kodi Etzler of Angola; and 6 great-grandchildren, Landyn, Haidyn, Gavin, Tessa, Andrew and Alex.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Don Etzler and Jim Etzler and sister Barbara Galli.

Funeral Services will be at 2:00 PM, Monday, April 10, 2017 at Peace Lutheran Church, Fremont, Indiana with Rev. Jeffrey Teeple officiating.

Visitation will be from 11-2 PM, Monday, April 10, 2017 at the church prior to the service.

Memorials may be made to the Visiting Nurse and Home Hospice, Fort Wayne, Indiana; Indiana Lions Eye & Tissue Bank or Peace Lutheran Church, Fremont, Indiana.
Condolences may be expressed online through our website: www.weichtfh.com
LOCAL ARRANGEMENTS HANDLED BY THE WEICHT FUNERAL HOME, ANGOLA, INDIANA