Roger Foss

PHILO – Roger R. Foss, 69, of Philo died Saturday, Oct. 20, 2007, at Carle Foundation Hospital, Urbana, from heart complications following knee replacement surgery.

The second of four sons, Roger was born on May 18, 1938, to Nile B. and Bernice Grace Saums Foss in the small town of St. Francisville in Lawrence County.

Mr. Foss attended elementary schools in St. Francisville, and graduated from Arcola High School in 1956. He was a member of the high school choral group and the Presbyterian church in Arcola, where he sang in the choir.

Mr. Foss served in the United States Army 1958 to 1959 in Headquarters United States Army, (USARER), Heidelberg, Germany, for 18 months, where he received a letter of commendation from Maj. Gen. Harold K. Johnson and early release in order to attend Eastern Illinois University.

Shortly after moving to Pensacola, Fla., and enrolling Pensacola Junior College, he was introduced to Mary Earleen Hoyle. They were married Sept. 30, 1961.

Mr. Foss found employment on Oct. 30, 1960, at Industrial Piping Supply, an industrial distributor of valves and fittings to the local industry, driving a truck and working in the warehouse. He was promoted to inside sales. After splitting off with three others to form their own company, Piping and Equipment, Mr. Foss, his wife, Earleen, and infant son, Greg, moved to Baton Rouge, La., in 1964 to help start one of ultimately several locations. It was here, as co-owner and vice president and until his retirement in 1999, that Mr. Foss worked consistently displaying a unique and rare sense of fairness and integrity.

These same qualities contributed to his equal and even greater success as a husband and father. His patience, humor, varied interests and infectious enthusiasm will leave a positive and lasting mark on his family and friends. His most endearing trait was his gift of encouragement and enthusiasm, which inspired many with whom he came in contact.

His passions were his family, church, genealogy, reading and walks with his border collie, Cody, at the dog park. He was a skilled craftsman and avid runner/biker.

Mr. Foss was a trustee of Philo Presbyterian Church where one of his favorite activites was the men's Tuesday morning coffee.

Mr. Foss is survived by his wife of 42 years, Earleen; sons, Greg R. Foss and wife, Jan of Shepperdsville, Ky., and Brian S. Foss and his wife, Kim of Madison, Ala.; grandchildren, Amanda Melaine and Garrett Matthew Foss of Shepperdsville, Ky., Annie Charlotte, Nile Hopson and Mary Saums Foss of Madison, Ala.; brothers, Donald Nile Foss and wife Clara of Oklahoma City, Steven Foss and wife, Joann of Navarre, Fla., and Michael Foss and wife, Anna of Springfield, Mass.

Mr. Foss was preceded in death by his parents, Nile and Grace Saums Foss.

Visitation will be from 9 to 11 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 24, 2007, at Philo Presbyterian Church, 105 E. Jefferson St., Philo. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at the church. Burial will follow at Locust Grove Cemetery, Philo. Pallbearers are Mr. Foss' friends and family.

In lieu of flowers, memorials contributions may be made to Philo Presbyterian Church, 105 E. Jefferson St., Philo, IL 61864.

Freese Funeral Home, 202 E. Main St., Sidney, is handling arrangements.