Roger Claire Rutter

Roger C. Rutter, 88, most recently of Scottsburg, IN passed from this life on March 11th, 2022, while at his home with family members at his side.  His family and friends witnessed, through his life, the embodiment of Ecclesiastes 12, and we are all the better for it!  Here’s a glimpse for others.

A son of the late Leslie F. and Dora M. (Adams) Rutter, Roger was born in RFD Middlebourne, WV., on June 6th, 1933.  The fifth of seven children, Roger was raised on a subsistence farm in the Elk Fork region of Tyler County, WV.  As a young adult, his family relocated “upriver” to the WV panhandle region to seek better life opportunities, and Roger graduated from Weirton High school in 1951.  While living in Washington County, PA, Roger met and married his first wife, Charlotte Harper, both at age 18.  They subsequently moved to Jefferson County, OH to raise their pending family of six children.  Roger spent a career with Titanium Metals Corporation of Toronto, becoming well known in the industry as a self-taught expert in titanium metallurgy.  He travelled extensively for the company, sometimes taking family, both domestically and internationally, and retired in 1995 with 42 years of service.  At that point Roger and Charlotte started travelling more regularly, often with their dispersed children and their families.  Charlotte died following an extended illness in 2009, bringing to a close a 57-year devoted marriage. 

Roger remarried in 2010 to M. Joann Cagle of Scottsburg, IN, the widow of Leon Cagle, whom Roger and Charlotte had as friends from New Cumberland, WV earlier in life.  Roger promised to give Joann “an additional 10 years of good life and companionship, Lord willing” and they gave each other twelve, for which the families are grateful.  The first half of their life together they spent snow-birding between Joann’s home in Scottsburg and Temple Terrace, FL, and the latter half living a life of peace and tranquility, “raising and setting the sun,” gardening, socializing, and watching God’s handiwork in the passing seasons of rural Washington County, IN.

Roger led an interesting and diverse life, most of which reflected his strong Christian principles.  For his entire adult life, he was an active member of the Church of Christ.  He was also well known amongst the Church in the upper Ohio Valley as a self-learned evangelist, working with many congregations as a travelling teacher and preacher, emphasizing lessons on the love and grace of God, and the superiority of the Christian way of life.  He helped start the congregation that met at Dennis Way, in Toronto, OH.  Beyond his dedication to Christ, he was a loving and caring father, grandfather, and step-grandfather.  He strove diligently to provide proper care and nurture for his household, extended family, neighbors, and fellow Christians, emulating the characteristics of the disciples in the Book of Acts, and living as a role model for those who knew him.  His Appalachian roots also had him enjoying gardening and hunting, raising Spaniels, listening to blue-grass music, singing, traveling, and relishing the diversity of God’s creation, especially its Maryland seafood.

Roger’s influence will be prized by many.  Those left to cherish his memories include his six children and spouses: Roger L. (Barbara) Rutter of Bell Buckle, TN; David A. (Paula) Rutter of Lantana, TX; Philip W. (Elaine) Rutter of Nicholasville, KY; Pamela L. (Steven) Csonka of Lebanon, OH; Rhonda L. (Paul) Brewer of Leetonia, OH; and James L. (Diane) Rutter of Kettering, OH.  With his wife Charlotte, their beloved offspring included 13 grandchildren and 12[1] great-grandchildren (with another on the way).  With his wife Joann, they enjoyed her 5 children: Theresa (Willard) Jones of Indianapolis, IN; Barbara (Michael) Lemley of Marysville, OH; Nancy (Jerry) Voyles of Scottsburg, IN; Delbert (Windy) Cagle of Henryville, IN; and Dave Cagle of Scottsburg, IN; as well as Joann’s 12 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren.  Joann’s extended family appreciated Roger for his paternal care and attention, as well as his focus on Joann. 

In addition to his parents, Roger was preceded in death by his siblings Marion F. Rutter, Carl E. Rutter, D. Imogene Rutter, Betty Mae Rutter, V. Keith Rutter, and Doris E. Cooper Cornett, as well as his wife Charlotte, one grandson, P. Alan Rutter, and one step-grandson, Trent Higdon.

[The following to be finalized during our discussion with Clarke on Monday]

Funeral services will be held at the Clarke Funeral Home in Toronto, OH on Friday, March 18th, with grandsons, Landon Rutter and Chad Brewer leading the service with viewing commencing at 10:00am, services at 11:00am, and with interment at Island Creek Cemetery, Taylortown, OH, to follow.  A celebration event will be held for friends and family at the Stratton Senior Center facility, Stratton, OH after the graveside service.  Another private memorial event will be held for friends and family in the Scottsburg, IN area, in the coming weeks[SC1] .

The service at the Clarke Funeral Home Friday will be streamed on the Facebook page of Clarke Funeral Home. Press like or view on the Facebook page if necessary.

To send condolences to the family go to www.clarkefuneralhome.com

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