Rollo Martin Marchant, 97, of Washington Court House, Ohio died Sunday, May 28, 2023, at 6:55 a.m. at his home.
Rollo was born August 19, 1925, in Washington Court House, Ohio to Rollo William and Edith Marie Hamm Marchant. He was a 1943 graduate of Washington High School and attended Bowling Green State University before receiving a bachelor’s degree from The Ohio State University. He earned a juris doctorate from the Moritz College of Law at The Ohio State University in1953.
He was an attorney and had a private law practice in Washington Court House before becoming Fayette County Prosecuting Attorney in 1961. He served as prosecuting attorney until 1972, at which time he became Fayette County Juvenile/Probate Court Judge, a position he held until his retirement in 1992.
Rollo was a member of the First Presbyterian Church; the Washington Rotary Club; the Fayette County and Ohio State Bar Associations; Sons of the American Revolution; was a World War II Navy veteran and was a longtime member of Death With Dignity.org. He was an ultralight and small plane pilot; enjoyed motorcycle riding, kayaking and walking but he especially enjoyed riding his bicycle, up to the age of 96, with his special friend and fellow bicyclist, David Laytart.
On December 22, 1948, he married the former Mary Sexton. She preceded him in death on January 7, 2022. He was also preceded by a daughter and son-in-law, Jayne Marchant and Scott Haslam in 1992; his parents; a sister, Marie Marchant in 2003; two brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Edward W. and Gladys Sexton and Charles V. and Carol Sexton and a sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Jean and Robert Olinger.
Rollo is survived by three daughters, Teresa Voegeli and her husband, George, of Brighton, MI; Ann Marchant and her partner, Russell Anderson, of Philomath, OR and Nancy Marchant and her husband, Mark James, of Medina, OH; nine grandchildren and five great grandchildren.
A public visitation will be held Wednesday, May 31, 2023, from 6-8 p.m. at the Kirkpatrick Funeral Home in Washington Court House.
A private family service will be held with the Rev. Steve Brand, pastor at the First Presbyterian Church, officiating. Burial will be in the Washington Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to Rails to Trails Conservancy (railstotrails.org).
Rollo was very special to my Mother & Father Claire & Frank Weade. My mother graduated high school with him. I enjoyed our conversations about his exploits and flying. He was a special person on Wash CH
Ron Weade
I had the pleasure and privilege of practicing before Rollo for many years. He was always professional, courteous, fair and knowledgeable. He set a high standard that most of us can only hope to achieve.
Jeff Wright
Our father, C E Rhoad, and Rollo had great times at Rotary and other organizations. There was humor and respect for each other. Martha (Rhoad) Cooper