Roland Leslie Sturgeon

September 29, 1940 - December 25, 2021

Roland Leslie Sturgeon, 81, of Salem, died at 1:30 a.m. on Saturday, December 25, 2021, at the Hoosier Christian Village. He was born on September 29, 1940, in Tampico, to the late Guy A. and Edna Ballard Sturgeon. In 1957, he graduated from Reppert School of Auctioneering and Livestock Judging and Pedigree Study. Roland was a 1958 graduate of Tampico High School. On July 6, 1962, at the Vallonia United Methodist Church, he married Anita Kathern Grider and she survives in Salem. Roland was a member of the Tampico Christian Church and attended Vallonia Christian Church. He was an auctioneer, farmer, livestock dealer, and livestock and horse judge. He was a member of the Belgian Draft Horse Association. Roland owned and operated the Jackson County Salebarn & Sturgeon Auction Service. He loved John Deere tractors, John Wayne movies, RFD TV, Gunsmoke. He always gave $2 bills to children and special friends. He followed Floyd Central Basketball, loved going to auctions & collecting antiques and brought smiles to many people with his sense of humor. Survivors include his wife, Anita; daughter, Terri Jo (Bob) Agan of Salem, IN; son, Steven Todd (Lisa) Sturgeon of Greenville, IN; and a foster child, John Foley of Henryville, IN; grandchildren, Colin Agan, Caitlin (Garrett) Ellis, Connor & Cameron Sturgeon; great granddaughter, Ansley Cate Ellis; sister, Brenda Sturgeon Wright of Brownstown, IN; several nieces and nephews. Roland was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Gene (Lib) Sturgeon, Donald (Sadie) Sturgeon, Roger (Joan) Sturgeon; and sister, Eileen (Craig) Sturgeon McCauley. Funeral services will be held at Vallonia Christian Church on Friday, December 31, 2021, at 11:00 a.m. with Jay Grider and Chris Criminger officiating. Friends may visit with the family on Thursday, December 30, 2021, at Vallonia Christian Church from 4:00-8:00 p.m. and on Friday from 10:00 a.m. until service time. Burial will take place at the Vallonia Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be given to Hoosier Christian Village Auxillary, Vallonia Christian Church Youth Program, Vallonia Christian Companions, or Tampico Christian Church. The Sturgeon Family is asking that masks be worn during your visit with them at the church. Johnson Funeral Home is honored to assist the family of Roland Sturgeon and online condolences may be expressed at www.johnsonfh.net.