Roland Keith Overton

Roland Keith Overton, 87, Mexico, passed away at 6:00 a.m. on Monday, September 7, 2015, at Dukes Memorial Hospital, Peru, Indiana.

He was born on June 19, 1928, and grew up on a farm in Odon, Indiana, he was the son of Alonzo Mount and Effie Flinn Overton.  On October 21, 1950, in Washington, Indiana, he was married to Billie Frances Jones, and she preceded him in death on June 10, 2011.

Keith was an active member of the Peru First Assembly of God, where he had been a Sunday School Teacher and had served as a deacon.  He also was a member of the Peru Maennerchor, Indiana Oaks Golf Club, and the Deedsville IOOF.

Keith graduated from Purdue University with both B.S. and M.S. degrees.  He lived in Miami County, Indiana for over fifty years.  He had a deep passion for agriculture, and he especially enjoyed farming and gardening.  He retired from North Miami High School where he taught for more than thirty years.  His teaching career included many subjects, but his love was teaching Agriculture.  He coached several championship judging teams as FFA Advisor.

Keith was a real estate agent for many years.  He owned Farm, Land and Home Realty in Denver, Indiana, and was still working for Carriger Oldfather Realty in Peru.

He is survived by four children, Victoria L. Overton and companion Gene Harrison, Peru; Deborah L. Overton Barnes, Fishers; William K. Overton, Warsaw; and Matthew A. Overton, Peru; three grandchildren, Jacob W. Overton, Andrew R. Overton, and Ashley N. Malott; and two siblings, Patricia Overton Hinkle, Washington; and Carl "Popeye" Overton, Indianapolis.

Funeral services will be held at 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, September 12, 2015, at First Assembly of God, Peru, Indiana, with Pastor E.J. Litherland officiating.  Burial will follow in Deedsville IOOF Cemetery, Deedsville, Indiana.

Visitation will be from 2-8:00 p.m. on Friday, September 11, 2015, at McClain Funeral Home and after 2:00 p.m. on Saturday at the church.

Memorial contributions may be made to North Miami FFA or the Deedsville IOOF Cemetery.

They Buried A Farmer Today

They buried a farmer today,

Gave him back to the dirt from which he came.

There are photos of his children and grandchildren, too,

And he and his wife, there are more than a few.

A good life, a simple life, that’s what he led,

He’d struggled like most, but came out ahead.

He enjoyed his last years, and made sure that he thanked,

The good Lord above for his life, and his land.

His time ended quickly, his loved ones in tears,

Hoping he knew what he meant to them all through the years.

Today they gather, to remember and pray,

About a simple man they loved, who was there every day.

Through joy and sorrow, laughter and pain,

He was there when they needed him, right up to the end.

Out to the cemetery, they carry him home,

To a small plot of land, just under a stone.

For they know he’s at peace, and praying for them.

The service now over, they leave him alone,

Knowing some day, he’ll greet them once more.

A dust cloud forms as the trucks drive away.

They buried a farmer today.