ROLAND JAY KELLAR SR., 89 of Sidney, passed away Tuesday, February 18, 2025 at 11:19 PM at his home.
Roland was born in Los Angeles, California in 1936 during the Great Depression, but his family moved to Ohio when he was about a year old. He worked at Centennial Lanes Bowling Alley during high school and graduated from Piqua High School in 1954. During high school, Roland studied industrial technology and machining. After graduating, he was hired at Inland Homes, but shortly afterward, had a great opportunity to work for Goodyear. Roland was drafted into the army in 1959 and left for Ft. Benning, Georgia during that summer. He and Helen were married during his 10 days of liberty, on August 29, 1959 at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Covington. He served in Korea from November 1959 to December 1960. In May 1961, Roland was honorably discharged from the army and was hired by Braun Brothers in Troy, which later became Dinner Bell. He was a maintenance man and also worked in refrigeration and ammonia. He worked at Dinner Bell until 1990, when they closed due to bankruptcy. He was then hired into the maintenance department by Wilson Memorial Hospital and became a certified electrician. He retired on December 29, 2017 because they did not want him on a ladder anymore.
Roland was the son of Raymond and Roberta (Martin) Kellar, and had two sisters, Kathleen (Ted) Lawson and Ramona (Clyde) McGillvary, all of whom preceded him in death. He was also preceded in death by a grandchild, Kevin Kellar. He is survived by a wife, Helen (Roeth) of 65 years, four children: Roland (Shylee) Kellar, Jr. of Houston, Ohio; Daniel (Lisa) Kellar of Oregon, Ohio; Gwendolyn (Doug) Shoemaker of McCartyville, Ohio; and Christine (Brian) Helman of Sidney, Ohio. He is also survived by 10 grandchildren: Jason (Brendan) Weirtz, Holly Kellar, Allison Bridges, Andrea (James) Shook, Andrew Shoemaker, Katie (Shaun) Friedrichsen, Joshua Kellar, Kierstyn Oberdorf, Seth Oberdorf, & Izzy Kellar; as well as 6 great-grandchildren.
Roland was a member of the American Legion and the Houston Community Association. He was also a baptized member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Covington, Ohio for over 65 years, where he served as the Sunday school superintendent for a time.
He enjoyed talking with and spending time with others, especially his family. He also enjoyed working on jigsaw puzzles and random math problems, mowing his yard, fixing things for his family, taking walks, reading, and learning bits of trivia.
He will be greatly missed by the many who love him.
Funeral Services will be held Friday, February 28, 2025 at 10:30 AM at St. John’s Lutheran Church, 200 E. Bridge St, Covington, OH 45318, with Rev. Rachel Patterson officiating. Burial, with full military honors by Sidney American Legion Post 217 and US Army, will follow at Houston Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Thursday from 5 to 8 PM at Cromes-Edwards Funeral Home.
Memorials to honor Roland may be made to Ohio’s Hospice of Miami County. Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.cromesfh.com