Paul August Roeber, 85, passed away at his home in Redfield, SD, surrounded by immediate family after a courageous and dignified fight with cancer.

Funeral services will be Monday, April 5, 2010, at 2 p.m. at First Congregational-UCC in Redfield. Reverend Tim Fugman will officiate.

After a time for fellowship and a light lunch, burial will follow at St. John's Cemetery.

Visitation will be held Easter Sunday, April 4, 2010, from 3-7:00 p.m. with the family present form 5-7:00 p.m.at Thelen Funeral Home, Redfield.

In lieu of flowers the family prefers memorials to your favorite charity. www.thelenfuneralhome.com

Paul was the youngest of seven children born to August and Martha (Otto) Roeber on Feb. 19, 1925,on the family farm at rural Tulare. He completed elementary school in rural Buffalo Township and graduated from Tulare HS. Paul was baptized and confirmed at the Turtle Creek (St. John's UCC) Evangelical Church, rural Tulare. Paul married Marvine Schmidt in 1946 and they purchased the family farm where they resided until 1986, retiring to Redfield.

He was a lifelong sports enthusiast with a passion for baseball. In 1954 he pitched Redfield to a State Amateur Championship. Known for his changing speeds and curve ball he was often picked up by surrounding teams for their post season playoffs. In 1994 he was elected to the SD Amateur Baseball Hall of Fame.

Paul actively served on the Buffalo Township Board, various church boards, Buffalo Township school board, and Redfield Lions Club. He was a 60 year Mason with the Tulare Chapter. He served as a southern Spink County representative on the ASCS Committee.

Paul came from a musical family. He enjoyed singing in the church choir, with a male quartet or community choruses.

He is survived by his wife, Marvine (Schmidt), a son Douglas and wife Darla, Maryville, TN; a daughter Jacki and husband Rick Jensen, Aurora, CO; five grandchildren, nine great grandchildren, two sisters: Bernadine (Harold) Schultz of Watertown and Evelyn Wagner of Redfield, a brother Vernon and brother-in-law Fred Case of Redfield.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Donald and two sisters, Bertha Harford and Leona Tubandt.