Frederick Roerig

Mr. Frederick Robert Roerig died at his home on Sunday, Feb. 14, 2021. He was preceded in death by his parents, Herman J. and Margaret (Probst) Roerig, both professional artists. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Lethia Joyce Herndon Roerig; daughters Patricia Helen Roerig, of Neosho, Mo.; Karla Ann Mayberry and her wife, Theresa “Terri,” of Chesapeake, Va.; Suzanne Michelle Roerig-Mendenall of Walterboro, S.C.; Joy “Mikey” Michon Roerig of Summerville, S.C.; Elizabeth “Libby” Lea Roerig and her husband, Taylor “Tay” M. Smith III, of Goose Creek, S.C.; son William “Bill” Robert Herndon Roerig and his wife, Angie (Ramsey), of Walterboro, S.C.; grandchildren Herndon Joseph Mendendall of Walterboro, S.C.; Kaitlin Ashley Mayberry of Orlando, Fla.; Mikka Lee Mendenall of Walterboro, S.C.; Julia Michon Nuss of Summerville, S.C.; William John Nuss of Summerville, S.C.; Isabella Ramsey Roerig of Walterboro, S.C.; and Battle Robert Roerig Smith of Goose Creek, S.C.; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Mr. Roerig was born in 1940 in Dubuque, Iowa. As a boy, his family called him Freddy. He was educated at St. John’s Academy in Collegeville, Minn., and Loras Academy in Dubuque, Iowa. A veteran of the Vietnam War, Mr. Roerig enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1959 and served four years. He worked more than 40 years for Dayco Products Inc., first at their plant in Springfield, Mo., and then transferred to the Walterboro, S.C., plant in 1989. He was happy to relocate his family south and away from the snow and ice storms of the Midwest; however, months after they arrived in the Lowcountry, Hurricane Hugo struck.

In addition to a successful career, Mr. Roerig and his wife were dairy farmers and raised and showed award-winning Missouri Fox Trotters in Mt. Vernon, Mo. They are expert collectors of several items, especially including primitive farmhouse furniture and cookie jars. On the latter topic, they wrote four volumes of the highly respected “The Collector’s Encyclopedia of Cookie Jars.”

A memorial service with veteran honors will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday from The Brice W. Herndon and Sons Funeral Chapel, Walterboro.  Fr. Jacob Joseph officiating.  Mr. Roerig will be buried in Maple Park Cemetery in Aurora, Missouri.   The family will receive friends following the funeral ceremony until 4 o’clock that afternoon. 

Arrangements by:   THE BRICE W. HERNDON AND SONS FUNERAL HOMES AND CREMATORY, WALTERBORO CHAPEL, 1193 Bells Highway, Walterboro, 843.538.5408.  Visit the registry online at: www.briceherndonfuneralhome.com.

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