Richard Morgan Roser, a lifelong resident of Carmi and Maunie, Illinois, went peacefully to be with his Heavenly Father on May 10, 2026, at the age of 96.
Richard was born in Maunie, Illinois, on June 9, 1929, to Raymond and Marguerite (Morgan) Roser. He was their firstborn, and 16 years later his brother, Charles, joined the family. Richard attended a three-year high school in Maunie, where he was designated valedictorian, and completed his senior year at Carmi High School. He later attended Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, where he graduated in 1953 with a major in Mathematics and a minor in Physical Education, while also playing on the SIU baseball team. It was during SIU Hospitality Weekend that Richard met the love of his life, Donna Allison. Although they had grown up less than five miles apart, they never met until Hospitality Weekend. Richard was smitten from that day forward, and his love for Donna never wavered. They married on July 18, 1954, at the Christian Church in Carmi and shared 62 years together before her passing on April 4, 2016.
After being drafted, Richard served in the U.S. Army from 1953 to 1955 at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. After living away for five years, Richard and Donna returned to Carmi to raise their family of four daughters.
Richard built a career in banking, working a combined 32 years at White County Bank and The National Bank. Richard’s career in banking combined his love of people with his love of numbers.
A man of deep faith, Richard was a member of First United Methodist Church for more than 60 years. He made church attendance and service a priority throughout his life and engaged in several church leadership roles. Richard and Donna spent many years teaching Sunday School. He also maintained close ties to Maunie Methodist Church, the church of his childhood. Richard always encouraged his family to keep “faith, hope, and love” at the center of their lives.
Throughout his life, Richard played on local baseball and softball teams. If he wasn’t playing, he was coaching. He coached the Jets, a Carmi Babe Ruth team, for several years and was proud to say he won the Babe Ruth Championship in 1975. Richard also coached girls’ softball when his daughters were old enough to play. Richard was an avid fan of the San Francisco Giants and the St. Louis Cardinals.
Richard participated in many community activities, including Rotary for 25 years, Gideons, the Over the Hill Gang, and service as a Board Member at Evergreen Acres, to name a few. In 1967, he was voted White County’s “Father of the Year.” He loved playing games of all kinds, with golf, pitching washers, whiffle ball, ping pong, and the card game Rook among his favorites. He also loved gardening, mowing, and spending time outdoors, especially walking the lanes of his neighborhood for exercise. His greatest joy of all was his family and the time he spent with them. He was proud of all the accomplishments of his children and grandchildren.
Richard is survived by four daughters, Sherri (Tom) Logan, Becki (Craig) Edlin, Angela (David) Hammelman, and Amy (Mark) Stieler; 10 grandchildren, Josh (Abbey) Logan, Lindsey (Ronnie) Logan, Scott Edlin, Lauren (Julian) Hough, Mark Edlin, Ashley Hammelman, Derek (Emily) Hammelman, Evan Stieler, Allison (Lee) Reed, and Jace (Layne) Stieler; and six great-grandchildren, Hana and Ava Logan, Bryce and Jacob Shelton, and Barrett and Casey Reed. He also shared special relationships with his nieces and nephew.
Richard was preceded in death by his wife, Donna, his parents, and brother, Charles.
Richard will be missed by many as he was deeply loved by his family and friends throughout his long life. He was a gifted storyteller, and those who knew him often heard him recount surviving the “1937 Flood” that submerged much of the surrounding tri-state area. His stories will continue to live on in the memories of many.
The family would like to thank Richard’s special friends, neighbors, and caregivers for their loving care and support over the years.
The family extends heartfelt gratitude for the prayers, love, and support shown during this time of loss.
Funeral Services for Richard M. Roser, will be held at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, June 9, 2026, at First United Methodist Church, 100 S. Church St., Carmi, Illinois 62821. Burial will follow at Big Prairie Cemetery with full military honors by the Carmi American Legion and VFW. Visitation will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Tuesday, June 9, 2026 at First United Methodist Church in Carmi.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made in Richard’s honor to First United Methodist Church of Carmi, Maunie United Methodist Church, or the Rotary Club of Carmi and will be accepted at the church or can be mailed to Campbell Funeral Home, 609 W. Main St., Carmi, IL 62821 who is assisting the family with arrangements.
