Roger Workheiser

1941 - 2020

Roger Workheiser
Galesburg - Roger "Fibber" Eugene Workheiser, 79, of Galesburg, IL, died at 10:58 a.m. Monday, November 30, 2020 at Galesburg Cottage Hospital, Galesburg, IL.
Roger was born July 9, 1941 in Kewanee, IL, the son of Floyd A. and Lillian L. (Powers) Workheiser. He married Garnafay "Garnie" Marie Mahnesmith on July 11, 1964 in Sheffield, IL. Roger is survived by his loving wife of 56 years, Garnafay "Garnie"; one son, Roger "Roggie" B. of Galesburg, IL; two daughters, Shelly (Carlos) Interial of Plainfield, IL and Gretchen (Derrick) Appell of Altona, IL; seven grandchildren, Christopher Interial, Felicia Appell, Kraig (Laura) Interial, Katie (Phil) Bria, Kendall (Megan) Interial, Cody Appell, and Carley Interial; and six great grandchildren, Joseph, Renley, Kodah, Teddy, Riggs, and Lucy Interial. Roger is also survived by five brothers, Floyd "Sonny", Jr. of Kewanee, IL, Bob of Galesburg, IL, Kenny (Jean) of Clovis, NM, Ronald (Shirley) of Decatur, IL and Gary (Jackie) of Kewanee, IL; and two sisters, Phyllis Camey of Kewanee, IL and Lois (Jack) Calhoun of Elroy, WI. Along with his parents, Roger was preceded in death by one brother, Edward; and three sisters, Lorraine Owens, Dorothy Jones, and Sharon Connors.
Roger graduated from Kewanee High School and went on to a 40-year career for the railroad, starting for C.B.&Q. and retiring in 2002 from BNSF. Roger was a devoted family man and enjoyed playing Santa for his children and grandchildren, as well as many other children in the local community throughout the years. He was a member of Corpus Christi Catholic Church, Fr. J.O. Hunt Knights of Columbus Council 556, and the Prairie Hub Club. He enjoyed casinos, sitting on his front porch, and playing golf and watching his old Western movies starring the Duke. Roger and Garnie held fond memories of their trips they took with their special friends Clarence and Karen Southard.
Roger will be remembered for his open arms, always being there when someone needed him, and never knowing a stranger.
Visitation will be 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday, December 11, 2020 at Watson-Thomas Funeral Home and Crematory, Galesburg, IL. The Rosary will be prayed at 1:30 p.m. at Corpus Christi Catholic Church with the funeral mass immediately following. Father Lee Brokaw will officiate. Burial will be at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made in Roger's memory to Corpus Christi Church, American Lung Association, or the American Cancer Society. Online expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at www.watsonthomas.com.