March 8 1942 December 16 2021
Obituary Inas “Boots” Roman, of Memphis, MI, and formerly of Oscoda, MI, departed this mortal life shortly before the break of dawn on Thursday, December 16th, in the year of our Lord 2021. She was 79 years old. She died suddenly and peacefully after morning prayers with her cousin, Clara Ball. She was baptized into Christ as an infant and was raised in the Lutheran faith at St. Peter Evangelical Lutheran Church, Richmond, MI, where she attended day school and was confirmed. At the time of her death, she was a devoted member of St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church, Ray Township, Michigan, a member congregation of the Missouri Synod. She was born Inas Kathleen Roman to Andrew and Clara Roman on March 8th in the year of our Lord 1942. After her mother was stricken with an illness that brought her to an untimely end, the young Inas was sent by her father to live with her aunt and uncle, the late George and Inas Harmon, in Richmond, MI, under whose humble roof (which lacked indoor plumbing) the life-long bond of sisterhood was formed between Inas and her cousin, Clara. If you’re following this closely, you can see that two sisters named Clara and Inas named their daughters after each other. The girls’ grandfather, who also lived in the modest home, took it upon himself to rename the two younger ones (perhaps because he couldn’t keep the two Claras and two Inases straight in his mind), and they became known as “Boots” and “Cookie”. The former embraced the new name and would hold fast to it until she departed this life, while the latter did not receive hers with the same enthusiasm. Boots was an avid crafter and artist and enjoyed making homemade cards. To say that she liked cats is a monumental understatement. Old Magoo seemed to live forever. Her most recent loss of Tucker was heart-wrenching for her. Her cat Zeta is the only one to survive her, and the writer of this obituary offers many thanks to cousin Erika for adopting her. God’s plan for Boots was to remain single throughout her earthly life. She had no children of her own but loved her sisters’ children as much as she would her own. Her sister Virginia and her husband, James Smalenberg, both pre-deceased her. They provided the nieces Tanya (who pre-deceased Boots earlier this year) and Tawnie, and the nephews, Todd and Troy. Boots was also pre-deceased by Thomas Ball, Clara’s husband, who together with Clara provided the niece, Jessie, and the nephews Ben and Josh. From these seven nieces and nephews, many, many children have sprung, all of whom have received the dear love of Aunt Boots. Boots was also pre-deceased by a brother, Gordon Roman, and a first-cousin-brother, Dennis Harmon, with whom she lived along with Clara, and who was killed during combat in Viet Nam. May they all rest in peace! Boots loved her country and it’s military. She worked as a civilian at Wurtsmith Air Force Base and then at Selfridge Air force base, and was fiercely proud of the honorable service given by the numerous military men in her family in defense of the Constitution of the United States of America and the American people. Boots was Lutheran to the core. She had a keen understanding of the sinful condition of the human heart, and unyielding faith in God’s remedy for it – the atonement He made by the death of His only-begotten Son. She was active in the study of Sacred Scripture and in prayer. At the mealtime table prayer, Boots would never let “Amen” be the last word. You always heard the echo, “Thank you for everything. Thank you for family.” And if the prayer had taken place at a summer picnic, and Better Mades were on the menu, very soon after the prayer you would hear her say, “Pass the chippies!” On the Sunday morning of December 12th in the year of our Lord 2021, as her blood pressure was falling terribly low, she was faced with a choice: To go to the hospital, or to go to Church. Being urged by loved ones, she agreed that she would go to the hospital . . . but only after she went to Church. This writer believes he is not out of place to say there may very well have been a voice heard in heaven, saying, One thing is needed, and Boots has chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her. (Luke 10:42) Four days later, shortly before the break of dawn, she saw the One Who said it. Visitation will be held from 4-7 P.M. on Tuesday, December 21st at Kaatz Funeral Home, located at 71235 Memphis Ridge Rd., Richmond, MI 48062, and at St. John Lutheran Church for one hour before the funeral on Wednesday, from 10-11 A.M. Memorial gifts in memory of Boots can be given to St. John Lutheran Church. The funeral rite will be held for Boots at 11 A.M. on Wednesday, December 22th in the year of our Lord 2021 at St. John Lutheran Church, located at 62657 North Avenue, Ray Township, MI 48096. Interment will take place in Memphis Cemetery, to the south of the town of Memphis on M-19 just north of Weber Rd. The Rev. Joshua Ball, Boot’s nephew, Godson, and Pastor, will preside over the funeral. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Inas Kathleen Roman please visit our Tribute Store. Read more
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Inas Kathleen Roman March 8 1942 December 16 2021.
Death notice for the town of: Greenville, state: Michigan