Basil L. Roof

Basil L. Roof, 85, of Lemons, MO passed away at the Kirksville Regional Medical Center on October 18, 2020. Basil was born in Lemons, MO on April 22, 1935 to Deward and Letha Roof.

Basil graduated from Unionville High School in 1953. Shortly after graduation Basil was drafted into the US Army for 2 years. Upon his return home he began working for Unionville Granite Works, then went to work for MFA Exchange in Unionville in 1968 and retired in March of 2002 after 34 years of dedicated service.

Basil met and married the love of his life, Wanda Johnson on April 19, 1965 and to this union a son was born, Jeff Roof.

Basil loved his family. There wasn’t anything he couldn’t or wouldn’t do for them. He was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather, and a friend to many. Basil loved being outdoors where you could find him working on his Farmall tractors, John Deere mowers, and making unique bird houses of all kinds. You could almost always find Basil and Wanda having breakfast every morning at “The Sale Barn” and making a couple of trips to Centerville every week to eat at KFC with their son, Jeff and grandson, Brandon.

Basil also loved tending to “The Big Garden” every year and was always proud of his big onions.

Basil is survived by his wife, Wanda Roof of the home in Lemons; son, Jeff Roof and wife Laurie of Centerville, IA; grandson, Brandon Roof and wife Kitty of Centerville, IA; sisters-in-law, Shirley Ross and husband Bob of Excelsior Springs, MO, Verla Rhodes of Green City, MO, Wilma Newman of Kirksville, MO, and Betty Roof of Unionville, MO.

Preceding Basil in death were his parents, 6 brothers, Melvin Roof and wife Valee, Leon Roof and wife Polly, Wayne Roof and wife Mary, Clifford Roof, Robert Roof and wife Mary and Ronald Roof. He was also preceded by sisters, Cleta Alexander and husband Hallie and Phyllis Kelley and husband James.

Graveside services for Basil Roof will be at the Green Castle Cemetery in Green Castle, MO, at 1:00 pm on Thursday, October 22, 2020. There will be no visitation, but friends and family are welcome to pay respects at Playle & Collins Family Funeral Home in Unionville any time from Wednesday until 11:00 am Thursday. Interment will be at the Green Castle Cemetery.

Expressions of sympathy in Basil’s memory may be made to the Lemons Community Building and may be entrusted to the Playle & Collins Funeral Home, 709 S. 27th Street, Unionville, MO 63565.