Rev. Roger Smith Lewis 

March 17, 1930 - August 12, 2026

Rev. Roger S. Lewis, 96, of Holland, Ohio, passed away peacefully on August 12, 2026, surrounded by his children and wife, Beverly (Altman) Lewis, the culmination of a lifetime of love, ministry and service that touched countless lives.

Born on March 17, 1930, in the Lewis family farmhouse in Mendon, New York, Roger was the son of the late Smith and Bertha Lewis. Called to the ministry as a young man, while working the family farm, Roger completed ministerial coursework at Elim Bible Institute in Lima, New York, after graduating from Honeoye Falls High School, class of 1948. He went on to earn his bachelor's degree from Roberts Wesleyan College in North Chili, New York, in 1963, followed by master's degrees in Theology and Divinity from Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore, Kentucky, in 1969.

Roger's first pastorate, at age 25, was the Congregational Church of Bushnell's Basin, New York, where he served faithfully from 1955 to 1966. He went on to pastor the Cincinnati Free Methodist Church, the Holland Free Methodist Church, and churches in Kissimmee and Winter Haven, Florida, as well as the Free Methodist Church of Nassau, Bahamas.

His lifetime support of missions and ministry work included several interim pastorates, mission trips to Bogota, Colombia and restoration construction ministries in Louisiana and Florida after Hurricanes Katrina and Andrew.

A faithful Rotarian for many years, Roger served as sergeant-at-arms, chaplain and was honored with the Paul Harris award. He served on many boards, including the Spring Arbor University Board of Directors, where all five of his children attended, and where he and Roslyn were honored as the 1982 Parents of the Year. Roger served as chaplain to several organizations and hospitals, with a God-given ability to comfort the sick and counsel the oppressed through prayer and scripture. 

He loved woodworking, gardening, camping, mountain climbing and traveling, but most of all he loved being on the water. He lovingly restored an old Chris Craft and captained several boats in his lifetime, giving his family wonderful memories of overnight trips down the Ohio River and to Put-In-Bay and Kelleys Island on Lake Erie.

An avid reader, Roger read through the entire Bible every year and loved to share the Word of God with others, having committed large portions of scripture to memory. He also had a playful side, famous for his April Fool's Day pranks, his jokes, and spirited games of dominoes with family.

Roger is survived by his beloved wife of 12 years, Beverly Altman Lewis; his daughters, Elaine (Allen) Truman, Eileen (Roy) Webb, Robin (Tom) Vibbert, and Carolyn Bell; son, Roger "Chip" (Jennifer) Lewis; stepchildren, Michael Altman, Richard (Carol) Altman, and Michelle (Ted) Weemes; sisters and brothers in-law, Remegia (Wade) Mitchell-Eaton, Alan Courtney Mitchell and David Mitchell; and many beloved grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews. 

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 59 years, Roslyn Mitchell Lewis; parents; beloved mother-in-law, Eleanor (Nory) Mitchell; sisters, Gertrude (Irving) Knox, Gladys (Wilbur) VanMaaren, Eleanor (Avery) Lusk, Leila (Jack) Morgan, and Marilyn (Art) Rodway; and brothers, Lynnfield (June) Lewis, Alvin (Doris) Lewis, and his twin, Royce (Doris) Lewis.

Roger ran his race with endurance and his family takes great comfort knowing he has entered into the presence of his Lord, hearing the words, "Well done, good and faithful servant." His legacy of love, laughter and generosity will continue to bless all who knew him.

A Celebration of Life service will be held on August 29, 2026, at Christian Fellowship Church, 6711 Pilliod Rd., Holland, Ohio 43528, at 11:00 AM. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to a ministry or charity of the donor's choice.