Edward John Roloff, Sr.

Edward John Roloff, Sr., “He lived life his way”, of Dover, died in his home Monday, June 5, 2017.

    Born July 14, 1930, in Detroit, Michigan, he was the son of Agnes and Alvin Roloff. He was the youngest of 4, a sister, Joyce Horvath, and 2 brothers, Don Roloff, Sr. and Kenneth Roloff, all whom preceded him in death.

    He moved to Kaukauna, Wisconsin and graduated from High School. After High School, he entered the United States Air Force. Upon his then graduation from school on Lackland Air Force Base in Texas; he returned to Dover to become the First Air Force Recruiter for Kent County, and the corresponding counties in Maryland. He graduated from Delaware Technical Community College where he received an Associated in Applied Sciences Degree in Criminal Justice in 1975.

    While proudly serving his country, Ed received the Bronze Star for Valor; and after serving 20 years in the United States Air Force, was honorably discharged. Ed then went to work as an Environmental Protection Officer with the Division of Parks and Recreation with duties statewide; particularly working in Killens Pond and the Delaware Seashore State Park. He worked civil service at Dover Air Force Base as a painter, then went to work at the base commissary as a bagger. Ed later opened a restaurant and a pool hall in Sandtown, DE  for a number of years.

    He was a Vietnam Veteran and a 100% disabled veteran. He was a member of the Disabled American Veterans, American Legion, and various other agencies. Ed prided himself with living independently, but was supportive of Meals on Wheels, the Wound Care Center, at Bayhealth/Kent General Hospital, and Dr. ‘O”.

    He enjoyed a good joke and creative talents. He had a vast collection of books and liked to research various topics. He loved people, and loved to play the slots at Dover Downs Casino; making many friends, losing and winning. His other hobbies included fishing, and country western movies. He will be remembered for his sheepish grin, dry sense of humor, and a desire to “ do things his way.”

   He loved his children very much. Mr. Roloff has two daughters, Lisa Lankford, of Camden; and Tana Stevens,( Dwayne); a son, Edward J. Roloff, Jr.,(Mary), of Reistertown, MD; 5 grandchildren, Jessica Baker, Richard Lankford, III, Morgan Trythall, Jason Roloff and Colby Roloff; and a great-granddaughter, Charlotte Baker.

    Funeral Services will be held at 7:00 pm, Thursday, June 15, 2017, in Pippin Funeral Home, Inc., 119 West Camden-Wyoming Ave., Wyoming; where family and friends may visit 1 hour before. Burial will take place 10am, Friday, June 16, 2017 in Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Bear.

   In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Meals on Wheels of America, c/o Modern Maturity Center, 1121 Forrest Ave., Dover, DE 19904 or to Disabled American Veterans, Department of Delaware, P.O. Box 407, Camden, DE 19934. Condolences may be sent via: www.pippinfuneralhome.com.

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