Lonnie Roe

Lonnie Martin Roe, son of Joseph Wesley and Mildred (Boaz) Roe, was born October 19, 1930 at Clyde, Kansas. He passed from this life Friday, March 15, 2018 at his home in Axtell, Kansas at the age of 88 years. The Roe family moved to Belleville, Kansas in 1940 and Lonnie graduated from Belleville High School in 1948. He and his brother Kenny joined the US Army in January 1951 and they served overseas in Germany, and was Honorably Discharged in 1954. On September 20, 1951, in a double wedding with his brother Kenny, he was united in marriage to Elda Jean Robbins, and to this union three children were born: Kathy, Jerry, and Kenneth. They were married 50 years before her death.

Lonnie worked as a mechanic for a few years, then went to work for the City of Belleville. After a few years, he went to work for the Rock Island Railroad until they shut down in 1980. He then returned to the City power plant in 1981, and retired as plant Superintendent on September 25, 1995. He also worked after hours as a Maytag repairman, and in his spare time built two homes for his family. Lonnie loved music even singing on the radio, in church, for his army buddies and others. He also sang with “The Belltones” barber shop quartet. Lonnie was also a long time member of the Belleville Volunteer Fire Department.

After the death of his wife Elda Jean, Lonnie and his sister Hazel spent much of their time together even though they lived miles apart. They would take turns being in Idaho and Belleville and traveling together on many trips in the states and even abroad. In their spare time, Hazel taught him to make quilts. He enjoyed making lap robes and many large quilts for family and friends. He also loved baking cakes, pies, brownies and cookies. He shared the fruits of his labor with family and friends. For several years he fixed the complete Thanksgiving dinner for his children and their families. Visiting with friends new and old was a passion of his.

In 2009 on the Branson Belle Showboat, he met Betty Malcolm. A long-distance courtship began. On July 31, 2010 they married in an outdoor wedding with family and friends. Lonnie moved to Axtell, Kansas and they enjoyed many trips together and with Betty’s son Bob and his wife. They loved to dance and the weekly dinners and card parties with their friends. In 2012 his little Bobby (an 11 month old boy) came into his life & heart. His love for this little boy turned back the clock to a time of playing, teaching, singing and lots of hugs. They were real buddies! Lonnie was very proud of his children and grandchildren. He loved to talk about their abilities and their achievements.

Lonnie is preceded in death by his parents Wesley and Mildred Roe; siblings Robert, Joe, Mary, Hazel and Kenny; his first wife Elda Jean Roe; daughter Kathy Butler and son Jerry Roe. He will be forever remembered by his wife Betty of their home; son Kenneth Roe and wife Tammie, Herrington, Kansas; step-children Bob Alfers, Cindy McDowell, Tilly Alfers all of Axtell, KS; 7 grandchildren; 7 great grandchildren; 9 step-grandchildren; 2 step great, great grandchildren; son-in-law Dennis Butler, Belleville, Kansas; other relatives and friends. His sweet smile, kindness, humor, loyalty and enthusiasm for life is how he will be remembered!

Funeral services will be held 10:30 AM Friday, March 22, 2019 at Tibbetts-Fischer Funeral Home, Belleville, Kansas with Mr. Lavern Robbins officiating. Burial will be in the Belleville City Cemetery.  Visitation with family greeting friends will be Thursday 5:00pm to 7:00pm at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to the Nemaha County Hospice, Sabetha Chapter.