Obit: Gifford, Roger Wells (1941 - 2004)

Transcribed by: Crystal Wendt

Surnames: Gifford, George, Zahm

---Source: Bolingbrook Sun (Naperville, Illinois) 24 June 2004

---Gifford, Roger Wells (19 Dec. 1941 - 20 June 2004)

Roger Wells Gifford

Age 62, passed away on June 20, 2004 at Wausau Hospital in Wausau, WI. Illness forced him to retire from J.W. Perry in Merrill, WI in April. He spent eight years as manager of the Merrill Golf Club. Prior to that he had been at Newman High School as head Football Coach and Physical Education Teacher. He came to Newman from Joliet Catholic High School in Joliet, IL, where he coached football, basketball, and baseball, in addition to his teaching duties. He was part of several state championships. He graduated from Lewis University in 1970, after serving in the U.S. Navy from 1961 to 1965. He received many athletic awards as a player on both military and collegiate teams. Following his college graduation, he played professional baseball for two years. Roger loved athletic competition and cherished those friendships. He recently established a Baseball Scholarship Fund at Lewis University.

Roger was born in Gary, Indiana December 19, 1941 to Elton and Beth Gifford. His father preceded him in death in 1981.

He is survived by his mother, Beth, who resides in Rensselaer, IN; an uncle, Ted Wells in Muncie, IN; a brother, Paul Gifford; nieces, Paula George and Christine Zahm; a nephew, Roger Jay Gifford; all from Valparaiso, IN. He was married to Mary Gifford, Wausau, WI.

Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m., Tuesday, June 22, at Taylor & Stine Funeral Home in Merrill. The funeral will be held at Jackson Funeral Home at 10:00 a.m. in Rensselaer, IN on Thursday, June 24, 2004. Memorial donations may be made to the American Cancer Society or the Roger Gifford Scholarship Fund at Lewis University.

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