Rollie Michael Spade

Rollie Michael Spade, 78, of Lawrenceville, IL, passed away on February 19, 2026. He was born on March 17, 1947, in Robinson, IL, the son of William Spade and Etola Arama (Garringer) Rowles.

Rollie grew up in this area and graduated from Oblong High School in 1965. Not long after, he stepped into a chapter that would shape him for the rest of his life. From 1966-1967, he served in Vietnam during the Vietnam War, and when he came home, his service did not end. From 1967 until 2007, he continued serving through the National Guard. For Rollie, the military was more than duty. It was a steady place of support and belonging, built on camaraderie with the men he stood alongside. That bond carried into the years that followed through his membership with the Vincennes VFW and the Knox County 40 & 8. He was also a member of the Moose Lodge.

Rollie worked at a few places over the years before spending 14 years at Briggs Pottery. Later, he went on to serve as a correctional officer at the Robinson Correctional Center, doing the kind of work that requires steadiness, grit, and a calm presence. Along the way, he also invested in real estate and owned many houses throughout the years.

If you knew Rollie, you also knew his love for sports, especially youth baseball. He coached baseball for his sons, and that love never faded. The Little League World Series became a particular joy for him, and he followed the games closely, soaking in every inning. And when his grandkids took the field or the court, he was their biggest supporter, showing up, cheering and making sure they knew he was proud.

More than anything, Rollie was a giver. He noticed needs, and he stepped into them. Sometimes that meant doing the quiet, practical thing that made life possible for someone else, even buying a vehicle to help someone and trusting them to make the payments. He lived with an open hand, and the people around him felt it.

Rollie also had a deep connection to his faith community. He was a former deacon at Prairie Grove Baptist Church and a member of New Hope Baptist Church.

He is survived by his sons & daughter-in-law, Tony Spade, Joseph Spade, and Christopher (Beth) Spade; by his grandchildren, Tony Ryan (Chasity) Spade, Lauren Douglas, Drew (Whitney) Spade, Darcee (Adam) Dunlap, Kendra (Justin) Courtney, Ethan (Candace Brooke) Spade, Katelyn (Blake) Spade and Samuel Spade; by several great-grandchildren; by his siblings, William E. (Liz) Spade and Julia Shipman; as well as several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, William Spade & Etola Arama (Garringer) Rowles; his sisters, Barbara Osborn and Kathy Strine; his son, Kelly Spade; two great-grandsons, Parker Wayne Courtney and Jaythen Wayne Courtney; and his daughters-in-law, Linda Spade and Tonya Spade.

A time of visitation will be held from 5:00-7:00 p.m. on Friday, February 27th, at the Goodwine Funeral Home in Robinson. A funeral service will be held at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, February 28th, at the funeral home, with Pastor David Vaughn officiating. Burial will be in the Kirk Cemetery, where military rites will be accorded by the combined units of the U.S. Army, Robinson V.F.W. Post #4549, Robinson American Legion Post #69, and Flat Rock American Legion Post #132. Memorial contributions may be made to the "VFW Transportation Fund", with envelopes available at the funeral home.