Rolla Charles Dolph, 75 of Onarga passed away at his home on Saturday, August 29, 2020. He was born to SGT Rolla and Alvena (Kresin) Dolph on Saturday 30 June 1945 in Champaign, Illinois. He attended Unit 7 Schools and graduated from Unity High School in 1963. He furthered his education by attending Eastern Illinois University where his major was Education.
His education was cut short by the Military Draft in 1965. Rolla entered the U S Army and accepted numerous special assignments. In 1999 he retired with rank of SFC. His military assignments included: Troop C/1st Squadron/1st Armored Cav Regiment, 2/130 Infantry Bn Illinois National Guard – Urbana, U S Army Reserve Forces Schools – 5035th/5045th/5034th and 1092nd as Senior Instructor for Military Occupation Skills of Nuclear/Biological and Chemical and Combat Medic, 330 Medical Bde, 84th Training Division- Milwaukee, 3rd MEDCOM in Saudi Arabia as NBC Advisor and Instructor for Combat Life Saver Course, and OCAR (Office of the Chief of the Reserves) as a Representative and Instructor for Weapons of Mass Destruction and Conferences.
Rolla developed a parallel career field to the Army by acquiring the knowledge and skills of HVAC and Building Maintenance. While working in the Champaign area for Illinois Bell Telephone Company as a Building Mechanic he was promoted to Building Supervisor in Alton, Collinsville and East St Louis. Later he worked at Mercy Hospital-Urbana, Johnson Controls-Fitchburg Federal Building, MA as Facility Manager, a similar career path was with Sears as an Appliance Technician and HVAC servicing in Champaign and Suburbs of Chicago. He was promoted to Parts Supervisor for Bannockburn Repair Center. After Sears he worked for Lincoln’s Challenge in Rantoul and Security for Illinois Security Services –Chicago.
Rolla’s parents Alvena and Rolla are both deceased as well as his first wife Barbara. Rolla married Barbara Jo Rogers in 1968. They had two wonderful children a boy, Rolla C (Janet) Dolph Junior of Bismarck, IL and a girl, Regina Caroline (Dolph) Johnson of Farmer City, IL and her sons, Dylan and Jacob. Rolla married Kathleen M (Sundquist Barrett) Dolph in 1996.
Rolla received acknowledgement for his special talents: U S Army Commendation Medal (awarded by the 3rd MEDCOM for special projects to include field testing of ANBACIS (Automated Nuclear, Biological and Chemical Information System) during Desert Shield/Storm/Provide Comfort, Special Patriot Ward presented by AR PERSCOM (Army Personnel Command) - St. Louis and Expert Field Medic Badge awarded by 1092nd Reserve School Boston, MA..
Rolla was always interested in new projects such as: Amateur radio call sign KB9JJJ, computer repair, Marksman with pistol and rifle, photography with dark room, music listening and playing with organ and accordion. His interests included membership in VFW, DAV, American Legion, American Red Cross (Shelter management and Instructor CPR and First Aid), SKYWARN a Storm Spotter, and ESDA / FEMA.
Visitation will be held on Wednesday, September 2, 2020 from 11:00 a.m. until the 1:00 p.m. funeral service at Knapp Funeral Home in Cissna Park. Bishop Anthony Ronstadt will officiate. Private burial with graveside military rites will be held on Thursday, September 3, 2020 at Danville National Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to The National Desert Storm and Desert Shield War Memorial in Washington D.C. or the Iroquois County Animal Rescue.
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