Bert Marion Roark

ROARK, SMITH

Posted By: Pat Hochstetler (email)
Date: 7/31/2006 at 13:34:59

Earlham Echo - Thursday, May 17, 1945

Bert Marion Roark, son of James and Sarah Roark, was born in Madison county, September 6, 1869, and died at his home in Earlham, May 8, 1945 after an illness of six weeks, at the age of 75 years, eight months and two days.

After finishing country school, he attended the Earlham Academy several terms; later had two years in the State Teachers College at Cedar Falls, Iowa.

When a young man he taught in the country schools, was Superintendent of Schools at Monroe, Iowa, and also taught in the Earlham Academy.

In 1903, when Rural Route No. 4 was established out of Earlham, Bert resigned his position as teacher in the Academy and became a rural mail carrier. After 30 years and two weeks, in civil service, he retired and has lived in Earlham since that time.

In 1921, he was married to Jennie Belle Smith of Oklahoma. He leaves to mourn his passing, his devoted wife, one son, Roland Roark, of a former marriage, and one granddaughter, Sarah Roark; two brothers E. G. Roark of West Des Moines and C. F. Roark of Stuart.

When Bert was twelve years old, he gave his heart to God, and has been a member of the Methodist church for more than 60 years. Bert loved the church. His life proved that he, like David could say, "I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the Lord." He has been a teacher of Sunday School classes for many years.

(Burial was in the Penn Center cemetery)