Robert I. Roederer, 89, of Rockford passed away on Thurs., Apr. 3, 2008. Rev. Roederer was born May 20, 1918 at the Evangelical Church parsonage in West Salem, Ill., the son of Irvin George Roederer and Erma Lucetta Lozier Roederer. Robert was the eldest of three children. The younger two boys died in infancy. During childhood and youth, he was active in the church where his father was pastor. His family enjoyed attending summer church camp at Oakwood Park on Lake Wawasee near Syracuse, Ind. At the age of eight, on Oct. 8, 1926, he accepted Jesus Christ as his Savior and Lord.Robert graduated from North Central College and Evangelical Theological Seminary (now Garrett Evangelical Theological Seminary). He married Mary K. Ehninger on June 9, 1943 in So. Bend, Ind. and began his 40 years of active service as a minister in the Evangelical Church (later Evangelical United Brethren, United Methodist). He served parishes in northern Indiana and throughout Illinois, including in Springfield, Ashton and Manito.During retirement, he was active in Court St. United Methodist Church. He counseled and trained lay people for the church's calling ministry, and sang tenor for 19 years in the sanctuary choir.Survivors include daughter Charlotte Dianne Roederer of Amherst, New York and Carlotta Ruth Lawrence of Greenwood, Wisc., grandson Erik David Lawrence of Portland, Oregon; granddaughter Angela Carlotta Mathison of Greenwood, Wisc. and four great-grandchildren, Abigail, Isaac, Delaine, and Daniel Mathison.

Memorial gifts may be sent to the Good Samaritan Fund at Wesley Willows or the American Bible Society.