Reverend Roger Lindler

Spartanburg, SC - - Reverend Roger Eugene Lindler, 76, of Spartanburg, SC, servant of Jesus Christ, has triumphantly gone to his heavenly home.  He passed away on June 26 at White Oak North Grove in Spartanburg, SC.

A funeral service to celebrate his life will be held at 4:00 PM on Thursday, July 11, 2024 at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Gaffney, SC officiated by Reverend Heidi Holst and Reverend Eddie Pless, with burial at his home church, St. Peter's Lutheran Church in Lexington, SC on Friday, July 12, 2024 at 10:30 AM officiated by Reverend Charles Aurand.  Visitation will be from 2:30 PM until 4:00 PM prior to the worship service in Gaffney as well afterwards in the fellowship hall.  In Lexington, the family will receive friends following the graveside service.

Born in Lexington, SC, on August 4, 1947, Roger was the youngest son of the late Azilee W. and Robert M. Lindler of Lexington, SC.  He is survived by his devoted wife of almost 50 years, Melba Stabler Lindler of Spartanburg, SC, his son Kevin C. Lindler (fiancé Danna Breaux) of Charleston, SC, and his daughter, Amy Lindler Mendenhall (Jake) of Greenville, SC.

Survivors also include his sister Roberta L. Ferrell (Robert) of Irmo, his brother, Mendel Lindler (Debra) of Lexington, brother-in-law Berley Stabler (Beverly) of Simpsonville, niece Maria Lindler-Steinke (Tim), nephews Lee Lindler (Katie), Doug Ferrell (Marie), Ben Ferrell (Bree), step-niece Mandy Jenkins (Steven), step-nephew Shawn Green and three step grandchildren, Everett, Bode, and Brinton Mendenhall.

In addition to his parents, Roger was predeceased by his paternal grandparents Lonnie Calvin and Belle Amick Lindler and maternal grandparents, Wilbur and Julia Harmon Rogers.

Roger leaves behind a multitude of loving and caring friends who rallied to assist the family during his battle with a grade four glioblastoma brain tumor in 2005 and the following years of debilitating effects of massive radiation.  Their prayers, visits, calls, cards and help provided him a higher quality of life and helped him to survive for more than 19 remarkable years.  His wife Melba was his optimistic cheerleader and untiring caregiver and advocate.

Roger was a graduate of Lexington High School and the University of South Carolina earning his Master of Theology degree from the Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary in Columbia.  He was a lifelong reader and learner and he maintained contact with many classmates over the years.

Roger loved his Lord and served Him as a minister for 30 years, first at St. John's Lutheran Church, Johnston, SC, from 1975 to 1978 and for 27 years at St Paul's Lutheran Church, Gaffney, SC, from 1978 to 2005.

As an involved citizen of both the Johnston and Gaffney communities, Roger was concerned with serving the needs of others.  He was a member of the Johnston Lions Club and the Gaffney Rotary Club.  In Gaffney he served on the boards of the American Cancer Society and the Cherokee County Disability and Special Needs and as a member (and two-term president) of the Greater Gaffney Ministerial Alliance.  He was instrumental in the organization of the Peach Center Ministries and served on its board from its inception in 1991 until 2011.  Another effort of his work resulted in the formation of the national men's organization in the LCMC (Lutheran Churches in Mission for Christ) for which he served as Pastoral Advisor from 2005-2009.

Roger loved his family and enjoyed people of all types and ages, traveling, fishing, country music, a good joke, a belly laugh, and football.  Although he was an avid Gamecock fan, he also attended many Clemson football games – after forgiving both of his children for attending Clemson University.  Eating was one of Roger's greatest pleasures.  He really enjoyed Southern cooking, barbecue, anything his mother, Mama Lee, made, and BoJangles sweet tea and biscuits as well as all of the fellowship that accompanied shared meals.

The family is appreciative of the doctors, nurses, physical therapists and other medical professionals who have cared for him over the years.  They are especially grateful for the assistance of many loving caregivers.

Roger was a compassionate pastor and loving husband, father, son, brother and friend.  Of him it can truly be said as Paul wrote in 2 Timothy 4:7:  He has fought a good fight, he has finished the race, he has kept the faith.

Memorials can be made to St. Paul's Lutheran Church, 1600 W. Floyd Baker Boulevard, Gaffney, SC 29341, or the American Brain Tumor Association, www.abta.org.

The family is at their residence at 147 Ravines Lane, Spartanburg, SC 29301.

An online guest register is available at www.blakelyfuneralhome.com

Blakely Funeral Home & Crematory, Gaffney, SC