John T Roettger

John T. Roettger, 83, of Dublin, Ohio, passed away on September 3, 2026, after a long battle with cancer. He was a loving husband, a supportive father, an amazing grandfather, and a loyal friend.

John attended The Ohio State University as an undergraduate (Go Bucks!) and earned his master’s degree from Bowling Green State University. He spent more than 20 years working in the Riverdale school system, serving as a junior high teacher and principal before becoming superintendent. While at Riverdale, he was the “voice” of the Falcons and was especially proud to celebrate the 50-year anniversary of the Falcon basketball team’s Ohio state tournament run.

In 1994, John moved to West Liberty-Salem as superintendent of schools and later served as a school board member. He loved watching the Tiger sports teams and announced football games and track meets. Last year, he was inducted into the WL-S Athletic Hall of Fame, an honor that recognized his many years of dedication to the school and its student-athletes. After retiring from public education, John continued to support students by supervising student teachers for Urbana University.

After moving to Dublin, John made it a priority to attend as many of his grandchildren’s sporting events as possible, from soccer and basketball to lacrosse and baseball. He made countless trips to ice cream parlors with his grandkids and was always available to provide rides to and from activities. John loved his family more than anything, and his grandchildren adored him.

John loved the Ohio State Buckeyes and the Cincinnati Reds, and he had a particular fondness for peanut butter and chocolate ice cream. You could often find him on a golf course or playing a game of Solitaire or Chess. He was a devoted family man who never met a stranger and had a way of making people feel welcome. He will be deeply missed by his family, friends, and the many students, athletes, and community members whose lives he touched.

John is preceded in death by his parents, Norman C. and Emma A. Roettger; his brother, Norman C. Roettger, Jr.; his in-laws, Frank and Vera Blackburn; his brother-in-law, Alan Blackburn; and his nephew, Michael Blackburn.

John is survived by his wife, Karen; his two daughters, Beth Honeycutt of Dublin, Ohio, and Nancy Carter (Terry) of Dublin, Ohio; and his four grandchildren, Madison (Brian) Wheeler, Bailey Honeycutt, Jackson Carter, and Cole Carter.

A celebration of John’s life will take place Saturday, September 19, at Jennings, Farley, and Seeley Funeral Home in West Liberty, Ohio. Visitation with family will be from 10 a.m. to noon, with a memorial service at noon.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in John’s name to the Franklin County Humane Society or OhioHealth Hospice House.