Roger L. Koehler, age 83, a well-known area builder, died Tuesday, June 11, 2013 after a seven year battle with multiple myeloma. A Cecil boy through and through, he was born there on June 29, 1929 and raised by Paul and Meta Koehler, enjoying all the small town things - fishing, swimming, skating and shenanigans with the other kids. His fondest memories were of playing ball for the Cecil Mudhens, a sport he enjoyed for 22 years. After graduating from Shawano High School in 1947, he attended tech school for three years before being drafted and serving at Fort Campbell, KY where he trained as a paratrooper. While in training, he was chosen for the camp baseball team, playing with many major leaguers. Upon his return, he decided to follow his dad in the building business, and honed his skills under his father's tutelage. Building was a good fit for him and his perfectionist nature. He continued for 55 years, constructing many lake and river homes in northeastern Wisconsin. Roger's homes were always well-designed and expertly crafted. He was pleased that many children of his clients came back to him for advice and work on their parent's homes. On December 20, 1964 he married Jinny Schwendener in Hinsdale, IL. They lived in Cecil before building their home in rural Shawano. Two children were born to them, Steven, and Jonathan, who died in infancy. Roger enjoyed rockhounding with Steve and watching his professional progress in the mining industry. The highlight of his year was an annual trip to Yellowstone to visit with Steven and Steve's wife, Christy, and scout for animals. Although a hunter in his younger days, he much preferred to observe the animals and appreciate their habitats. Roger was an expert on different and rare woods used in building and never met a tree he didn't like. Traveling later in life gave him the opportunity to see many types of forests, and he was photographed with several famous trees in the West. Because of a compromised immune system from multiple chemo sessions, Roger was unable to go out in public in the last years. A lifelong learner, he took advantage of his seclusion by reading and educating himself on history, environmental issues and politics. He also became an expert on Sudoku, spending many happy hours with pencil and eraser in hand. Roger was a member of Zion Lutheran Church in Shawano where he served several years on the church council, ushered and oversaw maintenance of the church and parsonage. He also served on the Cecil village board. Mourning his passing are: wife, Jinny; son, Steve (Christy) Koehler of Gardiner, MT; in-laws, Tom and Judy Fitz of West Bend; brother, Maynard of Shawano; sister, Kathleen (Paul) Schneider of Deale, MD; nieces and nephews; and his faithful Sheltie, Carli. Preceding him in death were: his son, Jon; his parents, Paul and Meta; a sister, Marjorie; in-laws, Carl and Bernice Schwendener; a sister-in-law, Jane Peters; nieces, Deborah and Patricia Fitz; and an aunt, Elsie Engel. A memorial service will be held at 11:00am on Tuesday, June 18, 2013 at the Swedberg Funeral Home in Shawano with the Rev. Gisele Berninghaus officiating. Inurnment will be in the Woodlawn Cemetery in Shawano. Visitation will be held at the funeral home in Shawano on Tuesday from 10:00am until the time of the service. The family would like to thank the group at FVHO including Dr. Kevin Mortara, Patricia Martens and the wonderful nurses and staff who guided Roger through his journey, the staff at Cherry Meadows Hospice in Appleton, Zion parish nurse, Georgia Stapleton, and Pastor Gisele. www.swedbergfuneralhome.com