Roger W. Kempster, 83, of London Mills, rested in the arms of the Lord on February 24, 2020. He was born at home on Jan 11, 1937, in Joslin, Illinois to Russel and Florence (Brown) Kempster. He grew up on the family farm in London Mills. Hard work was plentiful but he always found time to engineer and build things. He and his brothers were noted for putting Buick engines in just about anything and Harley engines on Go-carts. He always knew how to make work fun. Roger married Dixie Ruth Smith on St Patrick’s Day in Palmyra Missouri. They later divorced. The couple had one daughter Roj Ann Kempster-Werthmann of Ingleside Texas. Roj Ann, his namesake, was his absolute pride and joy. Arguing and barking orders at each other as their favorite past time but undoubtedly, they adored one another. He loved his 3 grandchildren dearly, Richard W. Percy (Michele) of Moline, Illinois, Roger W. Werthmann of Wallisville, Texas and Melinda J. Rosson (James) of Portland, Texas. He was so proud of their talents, accomplishments and loved to share stories about them. He cherished his 5 great-grandchildren who always brought a smile to his face: Meika Nicole, Roger Isiah, Jadie Noelle, Josslyn Amaya, and James Raymond IV. He had 3 step-great-grandchildren: Lindsey, Mary, and Xavier. Roger spent his early years as a welder. He worked at International Harvester and was a welder at Midland Peabody Coal Mine in Trivoli, Illinois, spending 2 years welding on the Bucyrus Dragline. He was a welder on the I- 280 bridge outside of Davenport Iowa. He worked for Master Builders performing service at their regional facilities. He later owned Kempster Bulldozing in Avon, Illinois, where he built many levees for local farmers to minimize flooding and protect cropland. In later years he became part of the hospitality industry owning hotels/motels in Enid Oklahoma, Waterloo Iowa, on the Gulf Coast in Port Aransas and Aransas Pass, Texas.
We mourn his loss and the empty place it leaves in our hearts but celebrate his eternal life flying high with the Angels. Visitation will be held from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Saturday, February 29, 2020, at the Hinchliff-Pearson-West Funeral Directors and Cremation Services Abingdon Chapel followed by graveside service at West Midway Cemetery near London Mills. A celebration of life will be held following the burial at Abbe Lanes Restaurant in Abingdon from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Online condolences may be made at www.h-p-w.com.