Thelma Eileen Roll

Thelma E. Roll, 93, of Goshen, died Wednesday, Aug. 16, at The Maples at Waterford Crossing.

She was born December 11, 1929 in Danville, Illinois to Oscar E. and Edith (Vancleave) Ackerson.

On July 31, 1954 she married Myron J. Roll. He died September 10, 2019.

Survivors include five children: daughter, Jennifer (Kevin) Leinbach, Goshen, their children, Rentz Leinbach, Portland, Oregon, Cade Leinbach, North Tonawanda, New York and Sayre Leinbach, Goshen; son, Jed Roll, Goshen; son, Ronald (Naomi) Roll, Sanders, Kentucky, their children, Autumn Baird (Jose Carpio) and great-grandson, Roman, Elkhart, Phares Roll, Goshen, and Jordan Roll, Sanders, Kentucky; daughter, Melinda (Craig) Rees, Concord, Michigan, their children, Emily Abbs (Nolan) Herendeen, Horton, Michigan, Lindsey (Mitch Allore) Rees, and great-grandchildren, Jayna, Maddux and Harrison, Mankato Minnesota, Kerri (Josh) Mehrling, Hudson, and Breanna (Brad) Bundy, Dowagiac, Michigan; daughter, Erin (Reyna) Miranda Patino of Middlebury; sister, Norma Cuthbert, Goshen; and several nieces and nephews.

Along with her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by three siblings and their spouses, Cedric  and Phyllis Ackerson, Ina and Richard Smith and Mary and Robert Hill; son-in-law, Brian Abbs; granddaughter, Jorja Leinbach; great-grandson, Jett Allore; and her sister’s companion, Fred Buttell.

Mrs. Roll treasured her family and relished time spent together.  A lifelong piano player and lover of all kinds of music, she enjoyed being outdoors in nature, gardening and keeping up with current events and the news.  She was a member of 1st Presbyterian Church and the Eastern Star.

Thelma was always the care giver. Not only was she a homemaker, but daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, niece, and aunt. Thelma was a four-time cancer survivor. She was a confidant, friend, counselor and giver. She was always willing to help anyone, anyway that she could.

Thelma was an avid reader, loved art, animals, and enjoyed researching her family ancestry.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, August 26, at 11 a.m. with visitation starting at 10 a.m. at Yoder-Culp Funeral Home.  Rev. Terry Tyler will officiate.

Memorial gifts in Thelma’s memory may be directed to Gabby Giffords Courage to Fight Gun Violence, the Democratic National Committee, the V.F.W. Post 985, or the Humane Society of Elkhart County.