Arden E. “Stretch” Roberson, 89, died on Saturday, Oct. 3, 2015 at 6:15 PM at Richland Manor Nursing Home in Bluffton, Ohio.
He was born on Nov. 9, 1925 in Bettsville, Ohio, to Clinton and Garland (Walter) Roberson who preceded him in death. On Aug. 7, 1949 he married Alice Frances “Fran” Detrick and she preceded him in death on Jan. 14, 2000.
Stretch was a football coach and college professor at Ohio Northern University. He started the football program at Huron High School in 1949. From 1950-1955, he went to Mentor, Ohio, and coached football, basketball and track with Lee J. Tressel.
From 1956-1957, he coached football, basketball and track with Lee Tressel at Massillon High School. From 1958 to 1959, he coached football at Baldwin Wallace University with Lee Tressel and was head basketball and track coach. From 1960 to 1969, Stretch was the head football coach at Ohio Northern University, Ada. Following his coaching he continued serving the university until his retirement in the late 1980s.
Stretch was a member of the St. Mark Lutheran Church of Ada. He was a U.S. Navy veteran who served in WWII from 1944 to 1946. Stretch was a life member of the Ada VFW Post #9381 and a member of the Ada American Legion Post #185. He was a member and served on the Board of Directors of the Alumni “N” Men’s Association.
He is survived by his son and daughter, Michael Lee (Christy) Roberson of Syracuse, N.Y. and Terry Jean (Fernando) Monroy of Guatemala City, Guatemala; seven grandchildren: Ty Roberson, Lee Roberson, Will Roberson, Alexa Monroy, Jose Monroy, Karina Monroy and Annika Monroy; two step sisters: Bonnie (John) Eddy of Napoleon and Nancy (Don) Sanderson of Corvallis, Oregon; a sister-in-law Clara Belle DeWeese of Sidney; and a brother-in-law, Andrew (Barb) Detrick of Florida.
He was preceded in death by a brother, Randall F. Roberson; a step sister, Wilma Hubbell; step father, Britton Mansfield.
Funeral services will begin at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 8, at Hanson-Neely Funeral, Ada with Rev. Vern LaSala former Chaplain of Ohio Northern University officiating. Burial will be in Woodlawn Cemetery, Ada, with graveside military honors conducted by the Ada VFW Post #9381 Honor Guard.
Friends may call from 6-8 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 7, at Hanson-Neely Funeral Home, Ada and one hour prior to the service on Thursday at the funeral home.
A celebration of life for Arden “Stretch” Roberson will be held in the future at Ohio Northern University, Ada.
Memorial contributions may be made to Ohio Northern University, Ada and/or St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, Ada.
