Esmond, IL

T. Walter Roush, 70, passed away suddenly on the morning of Monday, Aug 15, 2022. His loss is mourned by so many. Walt was a loving father, grandfather, husband and friend to all who met him. He was active in his community as a member of the Rochelle Masons and the Lynville Township Board of Trustees. He served as the organist for the Esmond United Methodist Church for many years and was a faithful member of the church for many decades. He enjoyed snowmobiling, and working on his antique tractors, but the highlight of day was to spend time with his wife, any of his five grandkids, or his beloved dog.

Walt was born on September 13, 1951 in Gallipolis, OH to Terry and Erma (Rickard) Roush. He spent his early years on the family dairy farm in Letart, WV. The family moved to Illinois in February 1962, where Walt experienced his first taste of a Midwest snow storm, as they had to plow the driveway to get into the farm. He worked on the farm with his dad and started driving trucks as soon as could. He met and married the love of his life in 1971. They started their lives together, and moved around to a few different locations until they settled at the farm in Esmond in 1986, where Walt farmed for the rest of his life. Walt and his brother, Dan, started the Roush Trucking company in 1976, where they would haul livestock for many years. They eventually transitioned into other cargo and at one point, operated as many as 10 trucks. Walt was still driving truck up until his passing, but he was most at home when he was on the farm.

Walt is survived by his wife of 51 years, Pat (Hand) Roush, his children: Eric Roush, Sara (Jason) Quincer, and his five grandchildren: Faith, Lila, Anna, Bailey and Gauge. He is also survived by his brother, Dan (Becky) Roush, and their daughter, Katie, as well as his mother-in-law, Evelyn Hand; aunts: Audrey Brink and Annabelle Roush, and many cousins, nieces and nephews.

The visitation will be from 4:00 to 7:30 P.M., Friday, August 19, 2022 at the Unger-Horner Funeral Home, 400 N. 6th St., Rochelle. The funeral service will be held at 10:30 A.M., Saturday, August 20 at the Esmond United Methodist Church, 675 Main St., Esmond with Pastor Dave Rogula officiating. Private family only burial will follow the service at Greenview Cemetery in Esmond. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Walt's memory to the Esmond United Methodist Church. Visit www.ungerhorner.com to sign the online guest book.