Robert Roach, 42, Delphi, formerly associated in business here with a local funeral home, took his own life Sunday by shooting himself through the head with a .22 single shot rifle. The bullet entered the right temple and caused instantaneous death according to Dr. C. W. Hunter coroner, who investigated. The tragedy occurred about one o’clock Sunday afternoon, the coroner stated, in the home on East Main street where Mr. Roach and his family resided with his wife’s mother, Mrs. Carrie Welday. Explaining to his wife that he had planned a trip to Indianapolis on Sunday, Mr. Roach declined going with his family to Michigan. City where a birthday celebration had been planned for his son, Bobby. Mrs. Roach, their two children, and mother left Delphi about 10:30 o’clock for Michigan City where they were to meet Everett Welday, brother of Mrs. Roach. They returned home about eight o’clock and the body of her husband was discovered on the kitchen floor by Mrs. Roach. He had been in ill health for a number of months but was actively employed in Gary by a funeral home. Survivors include the widow, the former Ada Welday, and their two children, Robert and Susan; and five sisters, Mrs. Eva Steining, Indianapolis; Mrs. Anna Metzger, Anderson; Mrs. Marguerite Ryan, Mrs. Esther Seeger and Mrs. Mary Bing, all of Lafayette. Mr. Roach was born in Delphi on Nov. 5, 1902 the son of George and Catherine Creighton Roach. He was a member of the St. Joseph church and attended the parochial and public schools here. He was a graduate of the Ask in Embalming School, Indianapolis. Funeral services were held at 9:30 o’clock Wednesday morning at the St. Joseph church, Delphi, with Rev. Father Paul Anderson officiating. Burial was made in the St. Joseph cemetery. Grimm funeral home was in charge.

Delphi Citizen August 30, 1945