Roger Frederick Burnfield, 81, of Van Wert, passed away on Sunday, July 13, 2025, at Lima Memorial Health Systems in Lima.

Roger was born on December 3, 1943 in Lima, OH to the late J. Frederick and Ruth Sophia (Lutterbeck) Burnfield. He grew up in the Spencerville area graduating from Spencerville High School in 1961. After graduation, Roger enlisted in the United States Army and was honorably discharged two years later. Once he was discharged from the military, he began his lifelong career working 30+ years with International Harvester in Ft. Wayne, IN and then a little time at their Springfield location before retiring. Roger started driving semi for a local farmer after his retirement from International Harvester.

He was a proud member of the American Legion Post #0178 in Van Wert for 39 years and attended the North Union Church near Van Wert. Roger always stayed busy working at home and on different projects. His love for metal working and fabricating was almost as abundant as his inventive and creative nature. Although he didn’t have any official patented products, he was always coming up with new inventive ways to create equipment that was more efficient and effective than what he could buy. Roger had the mechanical knowledge to build it himself.

Roger is survived by his daughter, Annette Parr of Markle, IN; two grandchildren; one great grandchild; an honorary granddaughter, Alexis Ruposky; two sisters, Karen Workman of Van Wert and Janice Warnecke of Spencerville. He was preceded in death by his parents; son, James “Jim” F. Burnfield; two brothers-in-law, Stanley Workman and Hubert “Herb” Warnecke.

There will be a visitation from 6:00-8:00 p.m. on Wednesday, July 16, 2025, at Thomas E. Bayliff Funeral Home in Spencerville. His funeral service will take place at 11:00 a.m. with an hour of visiting prior to the service on Thursday, July 17, 2025, at the funeral home with pastor Mark Fuerstenau officiating. Burial will take place following the service at Spencerville Cemetery with military honors provided by the local veterans. Memories may be shared and viewed by visiting www.baylifffuneralhome.com. Thomas E. Bayliff Funeral Home in Spencerville is caring for Roger and his family.

In honor of Roger, memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association.