Roeber, Henry

Lt. Col. Henry J. "Hank" Roeber, USAF, Retired, 89, of New Baden, died Tuesday, January 13, 2009 at Memorial Hospital in Belleville. He was born August 26, 1919 in Brooklyn, NY son of Harry A. and Ursula (Piotrkiewitz) Roeber. He married Ruth D. Smith April 6, 1942 in Brooklyn, NY and she survives in New Baden. In addition to his wife he is survived by three sons, Martin W. (Bridget) Roeber of Annandale, VA, Col. Thomas J. (Terri) Roeber, US Army, Retired of Waldorf, MD and Robert J. (Linda) Roeber of New Baden; eight grandchildren, Theresa (Aaron) Wellman, Shanon (Jason) Griffith, Justin Roeber, Jarred Roeber, Blair Roeber, Cameron Roeber, Cari Roeber, and Leah (Fiancée Jonathan) Roeber; five great -grandchildren, Henry Wellman, Rosie Wellman, Cyrus Wellman, Rachel Griffith, and Samuel Griffith. He was preceded in death by his parents. Col. Roeber was a veteran of the United States Air Force serving from 1942 until 1969. He was a WWII pilot, was shot down over Holland and was a POW for two years at Stalag Luft #1 in Barth, Germany. After WWII he worked for the Long Island Railroad for a period of time before going back to the USAF as a pilot. He was awarded the Purple Heart and retired from service after 27 years. Following his retirement from the Air Force he flew executive jets for Remmit-Warner and then worked ground control at Scott Air Force Base. He was a member of New Baden United Methodist Church, Trenton Lodge 109 AF & AM and Trenton Chapter 756 OES. He was also a member of the American Legion Post 321 in New Baden, Ainad Shrine Temple and the Scott Air Force Base Officers Club. Hank was a train enthusiast and was great with woodworking. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, January 15, 2009 at Hempen Funeral Home in New Baden with Rev. Pam Hoffman officiating. Burial with full military honors will be held Friday, January 16, 2009 at 10:30 a.m. at Greenmount Cemetery in New Baden. Friends may call from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. Wednesday, January 14, 2009 and Thursday, January 15, 2009 from 9 a.m. until 11 a.m. at the funeral home. The American Legion will visit the funeral home at 7 p.m. on Wednesday. Memorials may be made to the Salvation Army and will be received at the funeral home.