Long time Harlan City official Orval “Orv” Roecker died late last week, after dealing with health issues over the past few months. Harlan City Administrator Terry Cox says Roecker was a community man. “He loved Harlan and he was on the Council and mayor. I met him in 77 or 78 and had a good relationship with him. I teased him as my adopted father. He loved the community and helped it grow in so many ways. He was just a pure supporter of Harlan. A great personality and could tell a joke on any topic. He’s just a nice person.”

Roecker was also a staple at many community events until his health problems persisted. Cox says Roecker had a good life. Cox said “So it is sad to see him go. He had a good life and the last few years, a lot of his good friends teased him for having more than 9 lives. He was a great gentleman for this community.”

Roecker was Harlan Mayor from 1982 to 1987 after being a council member from 1980 to 1981. He had been on the council in 2002 until October 2012. He resigned from his Harlan City Council position Tuesday, October 4th. Roecker was born February 2nd, 1930 and died Friday, February 1st. His funeral service will take place 11-a.m. Wednesday, at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Harlan.

(Joel McCal/KNOD)