Mary Biser

SUN CITY WEST - Mary and Roger Biser were a devoted and loving couple, both in life and in death. They marked their 74th wedding anniversary on Nov. 1, 2016. Later that day, Mary passed away. Roger, her bereaved and faithful husband, followed her twelve days later, on Nov. 13. Mary Virginia was born Jun. 8, 1921, in Troy, Ohio, daughter of Roy and Naomi Saul. Roger Wayne was born Feb. 11, 1921, near the small town of Union, Ohio, son of Osa and Nellie Biser. Mary and Roger were both 95 years of age. Both were doting parents of four adoring children, Randy (Wanda), of Stuarts Draft, Va.; James (Eileen), of Rochester, N.Y.; Jeanne (Emory) Marsh, of Surprise; and Becky (Jim) Desmond, of Eagle, Idaho. In addition, seven grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren carry on their legacy of love and commitment. Roger is also survived by his brother, Laverne (Marion), of Fort Worth, Texas; and Laverne's extended family. Roger received his bachelor's of Mechanical Engineering from Ohio State University, where he was also an ROTC member. Upon graduation in 1943, he was commissioned in the Army Corps of Engineers, with service at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo., and then overseas duty in the Philippines and Japan with the 875th Engineer Aviation Battalion. He was honorably discharged in 1946. Mary attended a school for beauty operators, working in several establishments before opening her own shop in Troy, Ohio. The couple lived and raised their family in Troy, Ohio while Roger worked at National Cash Register (NCR) and Ledex in Dayton, Ohio. Prior to moving to Rochester, Mich., in 1972, for a job at Centronics, the couple were active members of the Troy Church of the Brethren. Upon their retirement in 1984, they chose to live in Sun City West. In their early years in Arizona, both were active in Stained Glass Crafters, and Mary was an energetic member of the Rhythm Tappers and Drill Team, performing in Arizona and abroad. Then, for many years, both were members of a local bowling league. In fact, Roger was an avid weekly golfer and bowler until age 94. Many who knew Mary did not realize that she was born deaf; she was a consummate lip reader. She is remembered for her warmth and kindness, paired with her feisty and vivacious spirit. And whether canoeing the Boundary Waters of Minnesota, learning to fly a small plane, or conquering scary rollercoasters, Roger was an adventuresome soul, balanced by his soft-spoken, patient, and thoughtful nature. Mary and Roger's ashes will be interred at Riverside Cemetery in Troy, Ohio, at a later date when family members can gather to celebrate their extraordinarily long and happy lives. To live in the hearts of those that love is not to die.