Obituaries : Roger William Albert

Roger William Albert, 91, of Vinton, died Thursday, June 13, 2019, at Virginia Gay Nursing and Rehab in Vinton following a brief illness.

Funeral services will be held 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, June 19, 2019, at First Christian Church in Vinton with Rev. Connie Wacht and Rev. Dave Neas officiating. Visitation will be held from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, June 18, at the church and also one hour prior to services on Wednesday. Interment will be in Evergreen Cemetery, Vinton, with military rites performed by American Legion Post 57 of Vinton and U.S. Navy Funeral Honors.

Roger was born April 8, 1928, in Vinton, the son of Lloyd Eldo and Wilma Ada Farris Albert.  He was raised in Vinton and graduated from Lincoln High School.  He served his country in the United States Navy from 1946 until 1948.  He attended Iowa State College from 1948 until 1950.

On April 16, 1950, Roger was united in marriage with Iris June Davis in Vinton. She preceded him in death on March 31, 1986.  Roger married Dorothy Ann Ozier Bliss in Vinton on February 6, 1988.

From 1953 until 1958, Roger joined his father in running Albert’s Pool Hall in Vinton. In 1958, Roger began working in partnership with Burt and Ivan Davis at Davis Implement in Vinton. He worked as the store manager of parts and service. In 1985, the trio sold the business to Bill Guider, Dann Albert, Matt Hansen and Dave Staab, and Roger became President of the company until his retirement in 1990.

He was a member and Trustee at First Christian Church in Vinton, a member of George G. Luckey American Legion Post 57 in Vinton, and President of the Vinton Aquatic Club for several years. He enjoyed traveling and golfing. Roger was a skilled carpenter and woodworker. Much of his work can be seen in friends’ homes and the community. 

Roger is survived by his wife of 31 years, Dorothy, of Vinton; two sons: James (Melissa) Albert of Anchorage, AK, and Dann (Nancy) Albert of Vinton; one daughter, Ann Marie (Darwin) Claude of Carol Stream, IL; four step-daughters: Jama (Steve) Runyan, Jill (Dave) Sutton, Judy (Pat) Baird and Jennifer (Eric Hoffman) Bliss; four grandchildren: Jill (Blake) Henkle, Amanda (Brian) Grove, Alyssa (Brad) Kaplan and Matt (Kelly) Claude; step-grandson Trent McQueen;  six great-grandchildren: Hayden and Griffin Henkle, Bria Grove, Connor and Hailey Kaplan and Eliana Claude; step-great-granddaughter Sienna McQueen; one sister, Marilyn Rhoads of Keystone; 12 step-grandchildren and 20 step-great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his first wife, Iris; and a brother, Ned, and his wife, Connie Albert.

A memorial fund has been established.

Van Steenhuyse-Russell Funeral Home is caring for Roger and his family.  Condolences may be left at vsrfh.com.