68, of 1651 McMasters Avenue, Galesburg, Ill. died at 4 p.m. Saturday, April 14, 2012 at his home.
Roland was born June 20, 1943 in Galesburg, Ill., the son of Roland and Edith Wells Newbill. He married Christine Cox in 1968. He later married Ellen Bravender on June 25, 2002 in Las Vegas, Nev.
He is survived by his wife, Ellen; two daughters, Angela Newbill of Chicago, Ill. and Erin Newbill of Indianapolis, Ind.; a step son, Jason (and Jessica) Bravender of Nashville, Tenn.; two step grandchildren; a sister-in-law and two nieces. He is preceded in death by his parents, a son and a brother.
Roland lived most of his life in Galesburg. He was from the Galesburg High School class of 1961. He spent four years in the U.S. Marine Corp from 1964 to 1968 serving in Viet Nam. Upon his return from the military, he worked as a conductor for the Burlington Northern Railroad for 43 years and retired in 2006. He enjoyed boating and golfing.
Roland was a member of the India Battery Association and he attended their Marine reunions every two years, all over the United States.
Funeral service will be held 10 a.m. Wednesday, April 18, 2012 at the Hinchliff-Pearson-West Galesburg Chapel with military rites by Ralph M. Noble American Legion Post 285. Rev. James Ecklund will officiate. Visitation will be 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 17, 2012 at the chapel. Burial will be in St. Joseph’s Cemetery, Galesburg. Memorials may be made to American Lung Association or Wounded Warrior Foundation. Online condolences may be made at www.h-p-w.com.