Dr. John W. ROLFES

1921 - 2015

News Death Notice

ROLFES, Dr. John W. "Jack" 93, formerly of Middletown, OH, and for the past few years a resident of Aiken, SC, died Friday, January 16, 2015. He was born in Indianapolis, IN on October 19, 1921 to parents Fred and Lilian Rolfes. Jack attended schools in Cincinnati, Ohio, graduating from Purcell High School in 1939. Jack attended the University of Cincinnati for four years, and was drafted into the United States Army in 1943 while a college engineering student. Jack trained in Ordinance at Aberdeen Proving Grounds, Maryland, and was assigned to the Infantry and shipped across the Atlantic; destination unknown, on Mother's Day 1944. He landed on Omaha Beach. Jack's Unit joined General Patton's 101st Division in its march to the Rhine, the Battle of the Bulge began the next day. On April 13th, Jack's group was hit by grenades, which landed in front of them. While under fire Jack saved the lives of 17 men in his unit, he was last to be treated and later was awarded the Silver Star. Jack was moved to a hospital in Verdun, France and later to England for recuperation and was awarded the Purple Heart. His story has been recorded by the Oral History Project; WWII Memories and is on CD available at the Library at Augusta, GA and the Library of Congress Washington, DC. After being discharged, Jack trained in optometry, graduated from the College of Optometry State of Illinois and practiced in Middletown, OH for 50 years. Jack was a member of Holy Family Parish in Middletown and later St. Mary Help of Christian Church in Aiken, SC. Jack was preceded in death by his parents; first wife, Shirley (Sherry) Rolfes; brother, Fred; and sister, Rosemary. He is survived by his wife of 31 years, Janet (Slough-Sheets); son, Mark (Rosemary) Rolfes of Middletown, OH; daughter, Joan Rolfes of Cincinnati, OH; step daughter, Jackie (Sheets) (Stuart) Farnell of Aiken, SC; step grandchildren, Rob (Johanna) Miller, J (Gina) Miller both of Raleigh, NC, Kristin (Kris) Steeber of Middletown, OH, Helen (Russell) Hammond, Tanya Morrey, both of Stoke-On-Trent, England, Larry Laderoute of Middletown, OH, and Roger Laderoute of Tolland, CT; eight step great grandchildren; one step great great grandchild; brother, Frank of Edina, MN; and sister-in-law, Betty Slough of Trenton, OH. Mass of Christian Burial will be held Thursday, January 22, 2015 at 11:00 am at Holy Family Parish - St. John's Church, 1405 First Avenue, Middletown. Visitation will be prior to the service from 9:30 - 10:30 am at Wilson-Schramm-Spaulding Funeral Home, 3805 Roosevelt Blvd., Middletown, OH. Interment will be at Woodside Cemetery with military honors conducted by the Middletown Combined Honor Guard. Attendees are invited to a reception at Wildwood Country Club. Memorial donations may be made to Regency Hospice, 105 Summerville Place, Aiken, South Carolina, 29803. Please sign the guestbook online at WilsonSchrammSpaulding.com