Roland Wunder, 87, born on August 27, 1937, in East St. Louis, passed away Saturday, March 15, 2025, surrounded by family. He spent most of his life in O’Fallon, IL, where he built a legacy of hard work and dedication to his family. This was shown in the way his children took care of him throughout recent illnesses.
Roland was married to Helen for over 65 years and together they raised their four children. His family was a source of great joy throughout his life.
He began his career as a proud life-long union member first as a laborer in East St. Louis, contributing to projects such as the Cahokia City Hall and the I-64 highway while also attending Rankin’s machinist program. His determination led him to graduate early and establish himself as a skilled tool and die maker. He later joined the United Mine Workers and worked 25 years as a maintenance foreman for Peabody Coal before retiring in the early 1990s. After retirement, Roland worked in the maintenance department for the St. Clair County Public Building Commission.
As one of the founding members of the O’Fallon Booster Club, Roland and his friends were instrumental in community building activities such as youth sports and the O’Fallon May Fest, attended by thousands.
Roland cherished time with his family, five grandchildren, and three great grandchildren. He and Helen enjoyed seeing the country, driving frequently to Las Vegas before adopting a beloved chihuahua that they named Max.
Roland is preceded in death by his father, Louis Wunder; mother, Irene Brooks (nee Dobyns); one brother, Lavern Wunder; sister-in-law, Kathleen Stites; brother-in-law, Vernon Raveling; and friends.
Surviving Roland are his wife Helen Wunder (nee Sharfinski); four children, Julia (Mike) Brennan, Gregory (Kenda) Wunder, Ellen (Mark Garrett) Wunder, Daniel (Elizabeth) Wunder; one sister, Betty Raveling; five grandchildren, Michael (Yazmin) Brennan, Daniel (Raghd Alyatim) Wunder, Jacob (Colette) Wunder, Keely Wunder, Nicholas Wunder; three great-grandchildren, Adilene Brennan, Helen Brennan, Elijah Brennan; life-long friend and brother-in-law, Darrel Stites; and many nieces and nephews.
By Roland’s request, his five grandchildren will serve as honorary pallbearers.
A visitation will take place on Thursday, March 20, 2025, from 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m., at Schildknecht Funeral Home; 301 S. Lincoln Ave., O’Fallon, IL 62269. Private burial will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Colorado Plateau Foundation; https://coloradoplateaufoundation.org/support, or the Chihuahua rescue organization; https://www.lilpawsbighearts.org/donate.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Schildknecht Funeral Home.
