September 21, 1943 – March 11, 2020
Paul Kermit “Spanky” Roberts, 76, Sheridan, passed away on Wednesday morning, March 11, 2020 at Wellbrooke of Westfield surrounded by his loving family. Born September 21, 1943 in Lebanon, he was the son of the late Leon Franklin “Cookie” and Ruth Anna (Barker) Roberts. Not too long after graduating from Whitestown High School with the Class of 1963, Paul proudly served his country in the United States Army, spending much of his deployment stationed in Korea.
Paul grew up in rural Boone County and spent hours upon hours helping out around the family farm. Tending to the dairy herd, which was one of Paul’s favorite parts of their farm, and getting to spend time working with his dad was a pretty good way to grow up. Paul always seemed to be in his element when he was around the farm and he tried to stay connected to agriculture in some way throughout his life. Over the years Paul worked for Kaiser Fertilizer in Fayette, did some dairy farming around the Carmel area, and worked for United Feeds in Sheridan. Paul also worked with Bouse Construction and for BIMCO in Sheridan for several years.
Paul had a strong devotion to his family. Whatever activities they were involved in, he made it a point to be involved. One of the activities to which he devoted much of his free time was being a Band Booster for Marion-Adams (now Sheridan) Blackhawk Band and Guard. The band program had a core group of parents who would show up and help with anything and everything – building props and equipment trailers, sewing flags and uniforms, driving buses and trucks – whatever needed done. This group was a wonderful asset to the program, but they also developed quite the reputation. There was an inner circle of long-time band parents that had to be chaperoned more closely than the children did. If they could think up a prank, they would pull it – on the kids, on the band director and staff, and on the other parents and each other. Paul was the instigator of quite a few of those pranks and the victim of nearly as many. Those stories have since become somewhat of a legend and are the source of a lot of wonderful memories. After Paul’s son graduated, he continued to be an active part of the booster organization for many years, following his niece through the program.
Paul also enjoyed going fishing, playing a round of golf, or just taking off on his motorcycle. He also loved watching TV. Seriously, Paul loved watching TV, especially old Westerns. When people would stop by for a visit, they better time it around his programs. If a visitor showed up while a Western was on, Paul would continue watching until it was over – then his attention would shift to visiting.
In 2001 Paul suffered a major stroke and his life would change in a big way. With the help of his loving family he was able to recover and return home. As Paul needed more constant care, he moved to a home unit at Wellbrooke of Westfield. It was the perfect fit for Paul and his family. It wasn’t long before he had the run of the place. He would get on his scooter and give the nurses a run for their money. He would zoom around the halls and visit other Sheridan residents that were at Wellbrooke. Sometimes you just didn’t know where you would find him.
He was a longtime member of Sheridan Six Points Church.
Paul is survived by his loving wife, Janet Darlene (Sedwick) Roberts. She and Paul were married on May 7, 1967. Also surviving is his son, Raymond Dean Roberts (Susan), Atlanta; three grandchildren, Taylor, Tanner and Kaylee Roberts; his brother, Rev. Richard L. Roberts (Marilyn), Pleasant Plains, Ark.; sister, Debbie R. Wiley (Marc), Lebanon; brother-in-law, Mike Sedwick (Anita), Sheridan; mother-in-law, Mary Sedwick; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and by his father-in-law, Fred Sedwick, Jr.
Services will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, March 16, 2020 at Kercheval Funeral Home, 306 E. 10th St., Sheridan. Burial with Military Honors will follow at Crown View Cemetery in Sheridan. Pastor Brad Pointer will be officiating. Visitation will take place from 3 to 7 p.m. on Sunday, March 15, 2020 at Kercheval Funeral Home in Sheridan.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be presented to Sheridan Six Points Church, 1545 W. 226th St., Sheridan, IN 46069.
Paul had a signature phrase that he used for any and all occasions, and with that we end his obituary in the same fashion, by saying to you all…
God Bless America!!!
Arrangements
Calling: 3 to 7 p.m., March 15
Service: 11 a.m., March 16
Location: Kercheval Funeral Home
Condolences: kerchevalfuneralhome.com