Kenneth Ridlen Roland, age 92, also known as Kenny, Bac and G-pops, left this world for the next on Memorial Day May 28th at the home of his daughter in Greenwood Indiana. He was born in Cannelton on November 7, 1919, the 4th child of Leona Johannes and Jacob Roland II. Upon graduation from high school in 1937, he attended Elgin Watch Making School in Elgin, Il. He joined the army in WWII and spent most of the war years in the South Pacific. He and Ruth Stuehrk were married in February 1946 and he began working as a watchmaker in Jasper.
In 1952, he and Ruth purchased the Heinzle Jewelry Store on Main St. thus continuing the Roland's Jewelry business, begun by his grandfather in 1884. He graduated from the Gemological Institute of America and became a Certified Gemologist in 1960. He enjoyed traveling in his motor home, breakfast with his friends at the McDonald's Economic Council, and a good joke.
He was preceded in death by his wife Ruth and daughter Marilyn. He is survived by his son Ken (Semra) of Tell City and daughters Martha Roland Jones (Roger) of Williamsburg, Virginia; Jean Roland Kennedy (Steve) of Greenwood, Indiana and son-in-law Mark Laflin (Joyce) of Tell City. Grandchildren: Emily, Patrick, Nathan, Mia, Jeffrey, Aylin and Jacob plus 4 great-grandchildren.
The family wishes to thank the staff at Oakwood Health Center, St Francis Hospice and Dr. William Marcrum.
In lieu of flowers; please consider a donation to Perry County Memorial Hospital.
Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. until1:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 2, 2012 at Zoercher-Gillick with a memorial service at 1pm.
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