Roger "Rocky" K. Strickler

Roger "Rocky" K. Strickler, 85, of Huntington, died at 9:32 am Saturday, June 1, 2024 at his residence. Rocky was born on June 5, 1938, in Decatur, IN, the son of Robert G. Strickler and Ruth (Hammond) Strickler. He graduated in 1956 from Decatur High School where he played varsity football and baseball and was on the Student Council. He was a 1969 graduate of the Indiana Institute of Technology where he was an active member and president of Alpha Omega Tau Fraternity. He then earned a Master’s Degree from Butler University in 1972. Rocky married Carol J. Creech on September 17, 1960. She preceded him in death on October 22, 2020. He was a Veteran of the United States Marine Corps where he was an Expert Marksman, a Tank Commander, and a Middleweight Boxing Champion. Rocky worked as a Design Engineer at International Harvester, Firestone, and Proctor and Gamble. He was the Owner and Manager of Rocky’s Pizza World in Huntington for many years. Rocky then worked as a Realtor for Coldwell Banker in Huntington and was an Auctioneer for Schrader’s in Columbia City. He enjoyed fishing, was an avid reader, and he loved music. Rocky loved his dogs, was a lifetime member of the Huntington Humane Society, and he volunteered for the Humane Society of Whitley County. Rocky enjoyed performing community service and was a 3-time winner of the Sagamore of the Wabash Award. Rocky supported Huntington University where he developed the Rocky Strickler/Hank Aaron Baseball Scholarship (1979-1990), he funded the Roger and Carol Strickler Merillat Center for the Arts Endowment (1991-2012), in 2013 he began his current endowment for the Digital Media Arts Forester Media Awards, he supported many Huntington University sports teams, and Rocky was a Foundation Board member of Huntington University for over 25 years. Rocky helped form the Huntington County PAL Leagues and he sponsored numerous youth sports teams. Rocky enjoyed the over 4,000 hours he spent volunteering at Parkview Huntington Hospital. Rocky was very involved with Pathfinders where he was on the board of directors for 6 years, he chaired several committees, he advocated and supported legislation for affordable catastrophic health care coverage, and Rocky was awarded the Herbert D. Lamont award in 1998. Rocky believed that giving back to the community was very important, but his family was always his priority. His hours of dedication will be deeply missed. Survivors include his Daughter, Shari K. Strickler of Huntington, IN; Son, Shane K. (Denna) Strickler of Huntington, IN; Sister, Carolyn Sue (Joe) Ditto of Laguna Niguel, CA; Brother, Robert A. (Mary) Strickler of Decatur, IN; Aunt, Bernadette Hammond of Decatur, IN; Three Step Granddaughters, Nine Great Grandchildren, many Nieces, Nephews, and Cousins, and his beloved dog, Bear. He is preceded in death by his Wife, Carol J Strickler, Father, Robert G. Strickler, Mother, Ruth Strickler, Sister, Sharon Vian, and Sister, Vicki Strickler-Long. Visitation will be from 12:00 pm - 2:00 pm Saturday, June 22, 2024 at Bailey-Love Mortuary, 35 West Park Drive, Huntington, IN followed by a Memorial Service at 2:00 pm with Pastor Ray Seilhamer officiating. Preferred memorials may be made in memory of Rocky to Huntington University Digital Media Arts Forester Media Awards Roger and Carol Strickler Endowment, https://raisedonors.com/huntingtonuniversity/forester-film in care of Bailey-Love Mortuary, 35 West Park Drive, Huntington, IN, 46750. Please sign the online guest book at www.baileylove.com. Bailey-Love Mortuary is honored to serve the family of Roger "Rocky" K. Strickler.

Roger "Rocky" K. Strickler

June 5, 1938 - June 1, 2024