Allen Gene Roeder of Schulenburg died on Thursday, Sept. 9, 2021 at St. Mark’s Medical Center in La Grange. He was 72 years old.
Funeral services were held at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in St. John on Monday, Sept. 13 at 11 a.m., followed by interment in the St. John Cemetery. Officiating was Msgr. John Peters. Pallbearers were Herminio Flores, Gene Ray “Buck” Hoffman, Ryan Wotipka, Ron Callaway, David Berger and Paul Barry. A presentation was made by Ray Urban on behalf of the Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 870 in honor of Allen with a 21-gun salute and “Taps” at the cemetery. Prior to the Mass, rosary was said at the church at 10:30 a.m., led by Edward Kusy.
Allen was born on Feb. 9, 1949 while his family lived in St. John just west of the church. The barn is still visible from the back of the cemetery. He was the first of his family born in a hospital. He attended first grade at St. John School. He often talked about how scary it was to walk through the cemetery to get to school. He graduated from Bishop Forest High School where the principal, Sister Agnes Ann, informed him, “You WILL graduate. We don’t want you here anymore.”
He joined the Army shortly after graduation and was sent to Ranger school and jump school before being sent to Vietnam, where he made and lost many good friends. He was awarded two Bronze Stars and a Purple Heart among other commendations. He served from 1969-70. After leaving the Army, he settled in Baytown and owned his own auto mechanic shop until moving back to St. John. There, he continued his work as a mechanic, operated bulldozers and other heavy equipment, dug water wells, milked cows to make butter, and used his tractor to make ice cream at church picnics. He built his own cedar log house from start to finish. He cut the trees, milled the logs with his own saw mill, and built the house with the help of his friends. He loved his friends and family, loved his animals and loved his country. On Oct. 16, 2004, he married Diane Barry at Moravia. He was a member
On Oct. 16, 2004, he married Diane Barry at Moravia. He was a member of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church at St. John, American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Vietnam Veterans of America and South Texas Wheel Spinners & Crank Twisters Tractor Club.
Survivors include his wife, Diane Barry Roeder; three sisters, Virginia Helweg of Shiner, Dorothy Ulrich of Louisiana and Mary Ann Wotipka of Schulenburg; and a brother, Melvin Roeder of Schulenburg.
Preceding him in death were his parents, Oswald and Leona (Baca) Roeder; and a brother, Joe Roeder.
Schwneke-Baumgarten Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.