Rolan James Goyer

 Rolan James Goyer, 85, of Belle Plaine, KS passed away on January 25th, 2025 at Winfield Senior Living Center. Rolan is survived by his wife, Dianne Goyer, of 27 years; stepdaughter Dawn Hentschke (Paul), son David Goyer (Kathleen), daughter Maria Rozell (Jami), grandchildren Rich, Sarah, Miles, Remington, and Rian, step-grandchildren Zachary and Carly, great-grandchildren Elita and Enessia; sister Nancy Stephens (Ron); several nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents and brothers Kenny, Joe and Glen.

Rolan was born in Choctaw, Oklahoma, on December 5th, 1939 to parents Jolly James Goyer and Alma (Williams) Goyer.  On the day he was born, the doctor did not arrive in time to deliver him so his mom dedicated him to the Lord. He had polio when he was around 1 year old. With his devoted mom applying hot towels and massaging his legs, the polio virus was destroyed, and he was able to walk. He was a brilliant and gifted child, usually seen with a book in his hand. He had a zest for learning and would often correct his mom when reading a book to him if she skipped around, something that all of us parents have done. Rolan graduated from Belle Plaine High School in 1958. He enlisted in the United States Army for 3 years as a Chemical Staff Specialist. He was highly skilled in weapons and received awards for marksmanship. He also taught classes on chemical warfare while in the army. He was honorably discharged and then used his own money to attend 2 years at Kansas State Teacher’s College in Emporia. Rolan and his friend Bill bought Vespa scooters. Rolan’s Vespa was green and he made several trips to and from college in Emporia. He married Yvonne Munsell in 1963 and they had 2 children David and Maria. He was a hard worker to provide for his family. He had a love for anything related to aviation and built a gyrocopter for a hobby. He worked as a Chemist formulating compounds for the companies Red Devil and Macklanburg Duncan in Oklahoma and Texas. He eventually moved back to Belle Plaine and worked at Boeing and Beech Aircraft in Wichita. He then worked at Pre-Mac in Wellington as an inspector and retired from there in August 1996. 

Rolan followed his calling to start a jail ministry in August of 1996. He was passing through Garnett, Kansas and stopped at the Assembly of God church. Dianne just got done mowing her big yard and decided to go to church that night. He met the love of his life that cold night on November 20th, 1996 as he just happened to sit in the same pew as Dianne McKinney at a Wednesday night service.  They both shared their testimonials and their love for the Lord and desire to do His work. Dianne asked to see his jail ministry bus. They stayed up until 3 am talking. Neither one could sleep that night, especially Rolan who stayed in his cold bus without heat. He showed up the next morning with a big smile on his face dressed in a pinstripe suit, hair parted down the middle, and one long stem yellow rose and asked Dianne to go to breakfast. They knew that God brought them together. They got married on a windy Kansas day on April 5th, 1997. They did jail ministry together locally in Sumner County for 24 years, as well as visited all 105 counties every year for 5 years, teaching God’s word and the message of salvation. They showed up for hundreds of people at their lowest times and made personal connections with them. Many people opened up to them and shared their pain, often with many tears shed.  They were taught to fill the void in their heart by receiving Jesus as their Lord and Savior. 

Rolan was a gentle, kind and caring man, a peacemaker, a hard worker, loved being outdoors—usually with an ax in his hand, intelligent, dessert-loving, and very passionate about the things he loved. It is a good thing Dianne “The Little Italian Cook” loved to cook because Rolan loved to eat. He was a little man with a big appetite and a big heart.  Later in life, he learned to appreciate going to get pedicures “with the girls” and loved getting pampered. His demeanor was usually on the serious side but his wife Dianne was fun-loving, which made Rolan more carefree. They complimented each other well. They were devoted to each other with all their heart and soul and were inseparable until the very end. 

Funeral services will be held at 2 PM Friday, January 31, 2025, at the Shelley Family Funeral Home of Winfield. Graveside services will follow at the Belle Plaine Cemetery. Visitation will be on Thursday, January 30th, at the funeral home from 5-7. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the American Cancer Society and left in the care of the funeral home.