Racine – Roger Lee Canfield, age 86, passed away peacefully at his home, surrounded with the love of family, on Friday, December 23, 2016.

Roger was born in Racine on October 16, 1930 to the late Orville H. and Clara (nee: Jansen) Canfield. He attended local schools and graduated from St. Catherine's High School in 1949. He proudly served our country in the U.S. Army (1951-1953) with a tour of duty in Korea, being assigned to the Artillery Battery and later assumed position as cook.

On October 2, 1954 in St. Anthony's Catholic Church in Kenosha, Roger was united in marriage with the love of his life, Elizabeth "Betty" Wallo.

Upon military discharge, Roger returned to Racine to his position at A&P Tea Company, where he was employed for 10 years as stocker, dairy manager and finally as produce manager. In 1958, Roger became licensed as an insurance representative and began a 27 year career with Metropolitan Life, serving in the capacity of an agent and unit manager, retiring in 1985. In his retirement, Roger was a valued staff member of Draeger-Langendorf Funeral Home, retiring in 2015 after 28 years of service.

With a profound Catholic faith, Roger had been a member of St. Edward and Holy Name (St. Richard) Parishes, where he served as an officer of the Holy Name Society, parish council and had trained altar servers. For the past 15 years, Roger was an active member of St. Lucy Catholic Church. So proud of his entire family, Roger was an amazing husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather who cherished spending every available moment with his loved ones.

Surviving are his loving wife of 62 years, Betty; their children, Timothy R. Canfield, Carolyn (Michael) Seitz, Marybeth Canfield, Jayne (Thomas) Buban and Thomas M. Canfield; grandchildren, Amy (Steve) Hart, Adam (Maria) Seitz, Alissa (Keegan) Murphy, Ashley (Abe) Searle, Andrea (Adam) Tillotson, Jennifer (Donaldo) Peralta, Ryan Martin, Laura (fiancé, Luke Benish) Martin, Aaron Buban, Alex Buban, Matthew Buban, Mitchell Buban, Roger T. Canfield, Nicole Canfield and Michele Canfield; great-grandchildren, Madison, Mason and Braedon Hart; Taylor and Carson Seitz; Kellan, Taytum, Rilynn and Ronan Murphy; and Cohen Searl; sister, Barbara Girton; sisters-in-law, Ruth Ann (Ray) Shefchik, Kathleen (Robert) Williams, Judy Canfield and Pat Canfield; brother-in-law, Gerald (Peggy) Wallo; son Tim's Border Collie "Rodger" who is a close part of the family; nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends – too numerous to mention by name.

In addition to his parents, Roger was preceded in death by his brothers, Orville and Richard Canfield; and by Betty's parents, Joseph and Mary Wallo.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, December 30, 2016 at 11:00 am in St. Lucy Catholic Church, 3101 Drexel Avenue in Racine, with Rev. Javier Guativa officiating. Entombment, with military honors, will follow at Calvary Cemetery Garden Crypts. Visitation will be in the funeral home on Thursday from 4:00 – 7:00 pm and in the church on Friday from 10-11 am (rosary recited at 9:30 am). In lieu of flowers, memorials to St. Catherine's High School, St. Lucy Church or to the Stars & Stripes Honor Flight have been suggested.

Special thanks to the Draeger-Langendorf Funeral Home staff who were very special friends & fellow employees…..of whom kept Roger going during many difficult times.

Service Details

Mass: 11 am at St. Lucy Catholic Church, 3101 Drexel Avenue, on Friday, December 30, 2016

Visitation: Thursday in the funeral home from 4:00 – 7:00 pm (rosary recited at 7 pm) and in the church on Friday from 10-11 am

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