By Karen Andrew
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Mr. Roeder

RISING SUN, Ind. -- Educator John G. Roeder, a former mayor and longtime school superintendent for this river village, died Saturday morningat his home here. He was 71.

Born in Brooksburg, Ind., to Richard M. and Mary E. Roeder, he graduated from Milan (Ind.) High School in 1949 and Franklin (Ind.) College in 1953. He earned a master's degree in education from Indiana University in 1960.

Mr. Roeder began his educational career in 1953 as a biology teacher at Patriot (Ind.) High School. He also taught biology at North Dearborn High School, and served as principal at Bright (Ind.) Elementary School and North Dearborn and Rising Sun high schools.

In 1965 he became superintendent of Sunman Community Schools before returning a year later to Rising Sun-Ohio County Community Schools, where he was superintendent for 29 years until he retired in 1995.He was elected mayor of Rising Sun in 1999 but resigned in 2002 because of illness.

"One of his goals as mayor was to help ensure the future financial security of Rising Sun," said his son, John Jr. of Lawrenceburg. "During his term, the city of Rising Sun and Ohio County agreed to partner to build the new library. Following his term, he established the John G. Roeder Library Enrichment Fund," which funds enrichment activities at the library.

He was a member of the Rising Sun Methodist Church and enjoyed hunting and fishing.

"He was a great role model and mentor - both my brother and I became educators," his son said.

John Jr. is the superintendent of Sunman-Dearborn Community Schools. His brother, Joe of Rising Sun, teaches at Ohio County Middle School in Rising Sun.

In addition to his sons, survivors include his wife of 51 years, Nyla Jo;a sister, Hazel Elaine Bennett of South Carolina; and five grandchildren.

Visitation will be held 5-9 p.m. Monday at the Markland Funeral Home, 327 High St., Rising Sun. A funeral service will take place 1 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home with interment following at the Rising Sun New Cemetery.

Memorials: John G. Roeder Library Enrichment Fund at either c/o Ohio County Community Foundation, P.O. Box 170, Rising Sun, IN 47040, or c/o the Markland Funeral Home, 327 High St., Rising Sun, IN 47040.

E-mail kandrew@enquirer.com