05/20/2025

Obituary for Roger A. Wilhelm

Retired Funeral Director

Roger A. Wilhelm, age 81 of Randolph, passed away May 17, 2025. He was born September 26, 1943, in Atwater, Ohio, to parents Jasper E. and Margaret M. (Hadinger) Wilhelm.

Roger graduated from Atwater High School in 1961, and  then went to Bob Jones University and Baptist Bible College, becoming an ordained minister. Afterwards, he joined the US Navy and proudly served his country in the Vietnam War.

After the war, Roger graduated from the Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science. His calm demeanor and caring personality led to a career spanning four decades as a funeral director with Wood-Kortright Funeral Home. He also worked at Sarchione Chevrolet after retirement. Roger was involved in his community as a member of the Randolph Lions Club and Habitat for Humanity. He enjoyed attending Liberty Bible Church in Atwater, Ohio.

Faith and Family were always first in Roger’s life. He is survived by his beloved wife Betty J. Griepsma Wilhelm, whom he married January 21, 1966. He is also survived by his daughter Kathleen “Katie” Polar and her husband Richard, his son Roger A. “Butch” Wilhelm Jr. and his wife Catherine, as well as his grandchildren: David (Emily) Polar, Joshua Polar, John Wilhelm, and Rose Wilhelm, his brother James Wilhelm, and his sister Barbara Marchand.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother Terry Wilhelm.

Friends and family will be received Saturday, May 24, 2025, from 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM with a funeral service officiated by Pastor Paul Phillips at 12:00 PM at the Wood-Kortright-Borkoski Funeral Home, 703 E. Main St., Ravenna. Private burial will take place at Hillside Cemetery in Randolph.