SARASOTA, Fla. -- Roger K. Abbott, 80, of Sarasota, formerly of Elkhart, Ind., died Jan. 9, 2011, in Sarasota.

He was born Dec. 23, 1930, in Goshen, to Rex and Mable (Dalrymple) Abbott.

Roger owned and operated Abbott Screen Printing Company in Elkhart for many years before retiring and moving to Florida. He had been employed with Wal-Mart in Osprey at the time of his death.

He was a 33rd degree Mason and was a member of the Scottish Rite and York Rite, the Elkhart Tyrian Lodge 718, the Sarasota Shrine Temple and the Elkhart Order of the Eastern Star, Starlight Chapel 181 in Elkhart. He was also a U.S. Army veteran who served as a medic in Korea.

Along with his wife, Jean, survivors include a son, Phil, of Elkhart; two daughters, Jacqie of Elkhart and Shari of Sarasota; three grandchildren, Kara Jo Rosenberry, Benj Waldbeser and Joseph Abbott; three great-grandchildren, Katlyn Waldbeser and Kent and Kassi Rosenberry; and a son-in-law, Bill Emilius of Sarasota.

A celebration of Roger's life will take place at the Willowdale Park Pavilion on Saturday, April 30, 2011, where friends and family may gather from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Masonic rites will be held at noon. Military honors will be rendered by the U.S. Army Funeral Honor Guard and Elkhart's DAV Chapter 19 following the Masonic rites. Cremation has taken place in Florida.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be given to the Shriner's Hospital for Children, 2211 N. Oak Park Ave., Chicago, IL 60707. Billings Funeral Home of Elkhart is assisting with local arrangements.

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