Carl Roediger

Carl Roediger was instrumental in launching me on a search for relatives in Germany. He introduced me to my third cousin in Germany, Jürgen Schmidt. Jürgen and his wife Edith invited my mother and myself to stay with them in their home near Nuremberg and accompanied us on a trip to Tann, where they took us to the Lutheran church, showed us where the Eichenauer and Rödiger homes had been and where the Rödiger property had been. They also took us to visit Liesel (Eichenauer) Schmitt as well as other Rödiger cousins in Tann.

If it hadn't been for Carl Roediger none of that would have ever happened.

He would have been a member of our recently loosely organized team of Eichenauer/Roediger researchers--this team needs a moniker--but for the fact that he has been battling cancer and was in poor health.

So it is with sadness that I present Carl's obituary here, just as it was printed in the Wapak Daily News last week. But I feel it is appropriate that I honor his memory by sharing this post:

"Carl E. Roediger, 83, of New Bremen died on Monday, May 15, 2017 at 9:45 p.m. at the Otterbein Senior Lifestyle Choices of Cridersville. 

Carl was born on October 27, 1933 in New Knoxville, the son of the late Elmer W. and Geraldine E. (Fledderjohann) Roediger. On November 23, 1956, he married Melba J. Weed, and she died on March 17, 1998.

Carl is survived by a son and daughter-in-law, Doug (Michelle) Roediger of Wapakoneta; a granddaughter, Morgan Roediger of Wapakoneta; two grandsons, Joel and Matthew Roediger of Wapakoneta; and a brother and sister-in-law, Gene (Grace) Roediger of New Bremen.

Along with his wife and parents, Carl was preceded in death by a son, Greg Roediger, and two grandsons, Ben and John Roediger. 

Carl was a member of St. Paul United Church of Christ in New Bremen. He was a 1951 graduate of New Bremen High School. He had served our country in the United States Army during the Korean War, and was a member of the New Bremen American Legion Post 241. Carl also served his community as a member of the New Bremen Emergency Squad. He was a charter member of the New Bremen Historic Association, and had served as the president of the organization. 

Carl enjoyed carpentry, woodworking and helping with construction projects. He loved to golf, play cards with his friends and travel, especially to Germany where he had visited many times. He also loved to follow his grandchildren in their various school and sports activities. Carl had worked for the former STAMCO of New Bremen where he was a Design Engineer for 42 years before his retirement in 1998. 

Funeral Services will be held at the Gilberg-Hartwig Funeral Home of New Bremen on Monday, May 22 at 10:30 a.m., with the Rev. Becky Erb Strang officiating. Interment will follow at the Evangelical Protestant Cemetery of New Knoxville. Calling hours will be held on Sunday, May 21 from 2 until 6 p.m., and on Monday one hour prior to the services at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions in memory of Carl can be made to the New Bremen Historic Association, or to the Auglaize County Cancer Association. Condolences to the Roediger family can be left online at gilberghartwigfh.com.

Published in Wapakoneta Daily News on May 18, 2017