E. Earl Roland, Founder and Chairman of Roland Machinery Co., passed away May 13, 2013. Mr. Roland was 90 years of age. Originally, Roland Machinery Co. was founded in 1958 as McElroy-Roland Machinery in Springfield, IL. Mr. Roland acquired Ken McElroy shares in 1965. Roland Machinery Co. began as an industrial machinery distributor for International Harvester with territorial responsibility for 46 counties in central Illinois. Today, Roland Machinery Co. represents a variety of key manufacturers, Komatsu, Wirtgen, Vogele, Hamm, Kleeman, Sennebogen and Leeboy. Roland Machinery has 15 locations servicing the states of Illinois, Missouri, NW Indiana, Wisconsin and UP of Michigan. Mr. Roland retired from day to day operational duties in 1982. Today, Raymond E. Roland serves as CEO and Matthew L. Roland serves as President.
Later in life Mr. Roland was able to spend time on his philanthropic responsibility. Along with donation of time and resources to a variety of charities, most notably Contact Ministries – Springfield, IL, he made a permanent mark on Hannibal-LaGrange University. He was instrumental in building the Roland Fine Arts Center in 2001 and Roland Library in 2010.
Visitation: Family will receive friends from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, May 15, 2013 at Kirlin-Egan and Butler Funeral Home, 900 S. 6th St., Springfield, IL.
Funeral: 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, May 16, 2013 at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 533 S. Walnut St., Springfield, IL with Reverend Julie Wells Blythe officiating. Interment will follow at the mausoleum in Oak Ridge Cemetery.
Memorial Contributions may be made to Contact Ministries.
