James A. Roha

James A. Roha, 96, of Meadville, died Saturday, August 14, 2010, at Meadville Medical Center.

He was born March 10, 1914, in West Mead Township, Crawford County, a son of Albert and Ethel Hamilton Roha.  He married Velma McDaniel July 26, 1941.

Jim was a lifelong farmer, and his expertise in growing green plants made ample productivity seem the normal course of nature.  Upon his parents’ deaths early in the Great Depression, he was thrust into the responsibility of saving the family farm to support himself and his two younger sisters (Jim always gave equal credit to his sisters and acknowledged the support of his aunts and uncles for this accomplishment.).  He operated this Fairview Dairy Farm on the Titusville Road until 1948, and he lived on the land where he was born all his life.  Later, Jim became the first manager of the West Mead Township Sewer Treatment Plant, retiring in 1979.

Retirement pursuits centered around family:  he updated and published the Roha family genealogy; he and Velma graciously hosted family members with whom he shared his stories of their family heritage.  He traveled throughout the United States, visiting family and delighting in plants and rock formations, particularly those of the Southwest.  He collected milk bottles from local dairies and took great pleasure in sharing them and the Meadville history they represent.

Community involvement included the chairmanship of the West Mead Township Sewer Authority and service at the Meadville Soup Kitchen through the First Presbyterian Church, where he was a member.

Survivors, in addition to his loving wife Velma of 69 years, include two daughters, Nancy Meislahn and her husband Harry of Winnetka, IL, and Ann Forrester of Meadville; three grandchildren, Douglas James Meislahn and his wife Nikki, Connie Elizabeth Meislahn, and Vincent Michael Forrester; and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his two sisters, Alberta Bowersox and Frances Wagner Cullen.

Calling hours will be Monday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at the Robert W. Waid Funeral Home, 581 Chestnut St., Meadville.

A funeral service will be Tuesday at 11:00 a.m. at the funeral home with the Rev. Dr. Brian Jensen, Pastor of First Presbyterian Church, officiating.

Interment will be at Greendale Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to the First Presbyterian Church, 890 Liberty St., Meadville, PA 16335.

Condolences and memories may be shared at rwaid@windstream.net.