Rolland Pauli

     Rolland E. Pauli, 81, of Peoria Heights, passed away at 7:57 a.m. on Saturday, June 26, 2010, at home, with family and friends at his side.

     Rolland was born in Peoria on August 4, 1928, a son of Emil J. and Theresia (Willi) Pauli. He married Louise Ford on September 17, 1950 in Peoria Heights, sharing sixty years of happiness. She survives.

     Rolland was a loving and devoted father to his sons, Steven Pauli of Peoria Heights and Ken (Robin) Pauli of Germantown Hills and his daughter, Becky (Darrell) Moore of Peoria. He is also survived by seven grandchildren, Steve (Noelle) Pauli, SSG Lynn Michael (Mandy) Pauli, Cori Moore, Melissa (Damien) Honings, Jake Moore, Amber (Brian) Campbell and Brandon (Alison) Pauli; three great grandchildren, Elizabeth Pauli, Grant Pauli and Stella Campbell; brother, Don Pauli, brother-in-law, Everett Ford; sisters-in-law, Martha (George) Josenhans and Pat Ford; special niece, Lana (Ted) Duke; and several nieces and nephews.

     He was preceded in death by his parents, one sister, two brothers, seven brothers-in-law and seven sisters-in-law.

     Rolland was a self employed wholesale milk distributor for most of his life. He was affiliated with Borden’s Dairy for thirty-two years and Prairie Farms Dairy for twelve years. He officially retired in 1991, but spent countless hours helping his sons carry on the family business. His last day on the milk route was in the fall of 2007. He loved being on his milk route.

     He served two years in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserves with C Company 8^th Infantry Bn, as a machine gunner. He was then drafted into the U.S. Army, during the Korean War. He earned the rank of Sergeant and taught leadership at Ft. Leonard Wood in Missouri. He was a proud member of American Legion Post #2 in Peoria.

     Rolland loved being on the ball field and was active in fast pitch softball for over thirty-five years as a player, manager, coach and league director, where he met several life-long friends. He was a league director at the Hanna City Radar Base and also the Chillicothe Softball Association. One of his proudest accomplishments was being player/manager on the 1960 State Championship Fast Pitch Softball team, sponsored by Borden’s Dairy.

     He also enjoyed bowling; dart ball; playing cards; fishing; and listening to Country music, especially Jim Reeves, and his favorite songs were "Always" and "The Tennessee Waltz". He was a fan of St. Louis Cardinal’s baseball and Stan Musial was his favorite player. He collected St. Louis Cardinal’s memorabilia, dairy related items and Ronald Reagan memorabilia.

     Rolland raised a good family, was a successful self-taught businessman and had great moral values. He was a very positive, self-disciplined and devoted man, who was a forceful leader, but very giving of his time.

     He most enjoyed spending time with his family, friends and special visits with his grandchildren. He especially loved weddings, anniversaries, the births of his grandchildren and great grandchildren, the business relationship he had with his sons and the time he spent playing softball with his sons and being Santa’s helper for his daughter at Christmas.

     A service to celebrate Rolland’s life will be at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, June 30, 2010, at Clary Funeral Home, 428 West McClure Avenue, in Peoria, with the Rev. Frederick Gattling officiating. The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday at the funeral home. Cremation rights have been accorded and a private family graveside service will be in Swan Lake Memory Gardens in Peoria.

     In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Rolland’s memory to OSF Hospice in Peoria or to St. Jude Children’s Hospital.