Streator – Rolla G. Colson, 93, of Streator, passed away at 5:42 a.m., Monday, July 15, 2024, at Pavilion of Ottawa.

Private family services will be held. Burial will be in Chenoa Township Cemetery. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.

Memorials may be made to the First United Methodist Church, Streator or Streator Ramp Builders

Duffy-Pils Memorial Home, Chenoa is in charge of arrangements.

Rolla was born March 29, 1931, in Lincoln the son of Ralph and Hazel (Duggins) Colson. He married Mary Alice Seeman on September 15, 1956, in Chenoa. She survives.

Also surviving are his children, Lisa (Daniel) Park of Orangeville, Eric Colson of Chicago, and Brad Colson of Ottawa; grandchildren, Sarah (Paul) Burandt of Dubuque, IA and John Park of Ottawa; great-grandson, Lucas Burandt; brother and sister-in-law, Fred and Dottie Seeman;  and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents and siblings, Ruth Ritchhart, Edwin Colson, Dorothy Heidbreder, and Katherine Semple.

Rolla was a veteran of the United States Army serving in the Korean Conflict.

He earned his degree from the University of Illinois in Civil Engineering. He began in 1960 working for Northern Illinois Water in Champaign and then Streator, until he retired in the 1980's. After retiring he spent time consulting.

During his career he achieved the Lifetime member of the American Water Works Association. He was a member of the AWWA for more than 30 years and continued to be involved into his retirement.

Rolla was an active member in the First United Methodist Church in Streator. There he enjoyed being a Sunday School Teacher.

Rolla was an artist and enjoyed water colors, sketching and woodworking. He was a collector, builder, and repairman for antique clocks.

He remained active before and during his retirement competing as a runner, a cyclist in the Starved Rock Cycling Association, and cross-country skiing.

An online registry is available at www.duffypilsmemoiralhome.com.