Roger Warren Erdman

Roger Warren Erdman, age 94, peacefully passed into new life on Friday, August 14, at Meyer Care Center in Higginsville, Missouri. Roger was born on August 8, 1932, on the Erdman family farm north of Alma, Missouri in Lafayette County the son of Bessie and Gilbert Erdman. The youngest of three boys, Roger was preceded in death by his mother and father, and brothers Howard and Donald Erdman of Alma. Roger spent his youth on the farm with his parents and brothers and attended the Catron rural elementary school and later graduated from Alma High School in 1950. Upon graduation he worked for Mr. William Steffens, an Allis Chalmers farm implement dealer in Higginsville, Missouri. There, Roger was able to use his talent for machinery and equipment to build a career that would last until his retirement in 1999. Durning this time, he met Mathilda (Tillie) Stumpenhaus of Corder, Missouri who he would later marry. In 1952, Roger joined the U.S. Army during the Korean conflict and was stationed in Japan where his mechanical experience would be put to good use by the Army during the U.S. occupation of Japan. While away in the Army, he stayed in close touch with Tillie who worked in Lexington, Missouri. Roger served two years returning home in 1954, going back to work at the implement dealership in Higginsville. In February of 1955 on a rainy weekend, Roger married his sweetheart Tillie at the St. Paul’s United Church of Christ in Blackburn, Missouri, and lived in Higginsville for the rest of his life. They were the proud parents of their son, Warren Keith Erdman and their daughter Brenda Ann Erdman. By 1956, Mr. Steffens was ready to retire and sold the dealership to Roger and his partner, G.J. “Babe” Busch of Higginsville where they operated it as Busch and Erdman Implement Company, moving it to a new building at the corner of Missouri Highway 13 and Truman Road and until 1965 when Roger bought out Busch and renamed the business Erdman Implement Company. For 43 years, Roger and Tillie operated Erdman Implement as a team, providing outstanding service to customers in west central Missouri. During that time, Roger was a member of the Allis Chalmers Dealers Circle recognizing their best dealers, its national dealers council, and was a member of the Western Implement Dealers Association serving on its board of directors and as its president. Roger also was committed to his church and community serving on the Salem United Church of Christ council, on its stewardship committee, and as its president. He was also president of the Higginsville Jaycees and later, on the board of the Higginsville Country Club where he served as president during the rebuilding of its clubhouse. He finished his business career as a member of the local U.S. Bank advisory board of directors. As an Army veteran, he served in retirement as a member of the American Legion and its Honor Guard playing taps for countless fellow veterans at their internment and was chairman of its membership committee. Roger was recognized at a surprise recognition for his years of service with the Honor Guard. Roger loved to play golf at Higginsville Country Club where he made a hole-in-one, and pool on the 1928 table he acquired in a farm implement sale. That table was where Roger and his many friends enjoyed playing together many evenings, telling stories and enjoying life together. It is now a cherished family heirloom at the lake home of Jenny and Warren Erdman. Roger turned 94 on August 8 and was celebrated by around 30 of his local, morning coffee friends at Meyer Care organized by dear family friend John Campbell. It was a wonderful day that he enjoyed so much when he got to be with his best friends one last time. Our deepest thanks to John for that and all the support he has given the family. Roger Erdman was known across the region as an honest, good man who cared for his family, his fellow citizens, and enjoyed life to its fullest. He always had a smile, never knew a stranger, was quick with a funny story or joke, and above all, dedicated to Jesus Christ. Roger is survived by his wife of 71 years, Tillie, son, Warren (Jenny), daughter Brenda Dion (Matt) and his four grandchildren, Meagan Dion (Nik), Ross Dion, August Erdman, and Audrey Erdman, and other beloved extended family. They will miss him terribly but are grateful for the life he lived and the many blessings he brought to them and everyone he touched. We give thanks to God for the life of Roger, a beloved son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, businessman, community leader, neighbor, and friend to all who knew him. A viewing/social hour will occur from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Monday, August 24, 2026, at Salem United Church of Christ, located at 1500 N. Main St., Higginsville, MO 64037. A funeral service will follow at 1;00 PM at Salem U.C.C. Burial will follow at Missouri Veterans Cemetery in Higginsville. Casket beaers: August Erdman, Ross Dion, Matt Dion, Nik Svendsen, Darold Erdman, Russell Erdman Honorary Pall Bearers: Audrey Erdman,Meagan Dion, John Campbell, Kenneth Rinne, Stanton Thompson, Darrell Williams. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial contributions be made to Salem United Church of Christ, 1500 N Main Street, Higginsville, Missouri 64037, https://onrealm.org/SalemUnitedChur90896/give/now; or the Lafayette County Cancer Coalition, PO Box 88, Higginsville, Missouri 64037, https://lafcocancer.org/.

Roger Warren Erdman

August 8, 1932 - August 14, 2026