Roger Philip Ries, age 78, of rural Iola, Illinois, passed away at 3:53 a.m. Sunday, June 25, 2017 at St. Anthony Memorial Hospital in Effingham, Illinois.

A celebration of life service with be held at the Pagel Funeral Home in Edgewood, Illinois at 7 p.m. on Thursday, June 29, 2017, with visitation one-hour before the service.  Pastor Marek Kasperczuk will be officiating. Military rites will be observed immediately following the ceremony.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Roger's name to the University of Illinois Small Animal Clinic, 1008 W Hazelwood Drive, Urbana, Illinois, 61802.

Roger was born on May 05, 1939, in Watertown, South Dakota, the son of Clifford B. and Lillian M, (Manthie) Ries. He married Ella Adkins on August 25, 1960, at Chanute Air Force Base of Rantoul, Illinois.

Roger was a member of The United States Air Force from 1958-1962 achieving the rank of Airman 1st Class and a Vietnam War Veteran.  He was a member of the Adam Keeler American Legion Post# 1168 of Edgewood, Illinois; the National Trail Amateur Radio Club, Effingham, Illinois; a life member of the University of Illinois Alumni Association; and a supporter of the University of Illinois Scholarship Fund.  Roger held both a Bachelor Degree and Master Degree in Electrical Engineering. He owned and operated RP Electronic and Ries Labs Inc. He was an avid hunter and fisherman.

Roger is survived by his wife Ella of rural Iola, Illinois; two sons, Mike (wife Mary) Ries of Champaign, Illinois and Brian Ries of Sebastopol, California; brother, Stephen (wife Carol) Ries of Camargo, Illinois; two sisters, Carole Ries of Topeka, Kansas and Connie Ries of Oklahoma; one granddaughter, Amber (husband Zach) Nelson of Champaign, Illinois; one great-grandson, Logan Nelson of Champaign, Illinois.

Roger was proceeded in death by his parents, Clifford and Lillian Ries and brother, Gregory Ries.