Willard “Buddy” Rose, age 77, of Fredericktown, Ohio, passed away on Saturday, June 27, 2026, at Ohio Health Mansfield Hospital.
Buddy Rose was many things: husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, soldier, storyteller, musician—and, above all, a fighter.
He was born on February 11, 1949, in Coeburn, Virginia, to the late Lonnie and Tina (Neel) Rose. He graduated from Mansfield Senior High School in 1968 and served with the 4th Infantry in Vietnam from 1969 to 1970. Among other places, he worked at Westinghouse, United Telephone Company, and Ideal Electric. Through every phase of his life, he inspired people with his unique combination of honesty, strength, and integrity.
Buddy is survived by his wife, Karen (Reiser) Rose; his children: daughter Vicki (Shayne) Efaw of Missouri, Buddy (Vicki) Rose of Bucyrus, and Tony (Keeley) Rose of Mansfield; grandchildren Zach and Jeff Efaw of Missouri, Samuel Rose of Bucyrus, and Eliana and Thomas Rose of Mansfield; great-grandchildren Castiel and Romeo Efaw of Missouri; sisters Judy Connors of Mansfield and Brenda McGuire of Mount Sterling, Kentucky; and many beloved nieces, nephews, and friends.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his infant daughter, Kara; brothers Charles, Tommy, Bennie, Bob, Lonnie, and Jerry Rose; sister Ann Bennett; nephew Luke Perry and nieces Bethann Farson and Vicki Baker; brothers-in-law Steve Bennett, Phil Connors, Richard Reiser, and Robert Reiser; and sisters-in-law Lillian and Carol Rose.
The Rose family extends its heartfelt thanks to the wonderful nurses, physicians, and staff of OhioHealth. Their care throughout Buddy’s final hours was deeply appreciated.
Per Buddy’s request, calling hours and funeral services will not be observed. The Dowds-Snyder Funeral Home of Mount Vernon is honored to serve the family of Willard “Buddy” Rose. To share a memory or leave a condolence for the family, visit www.snyderfuneralhomes.com
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in his name to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
There’s a part of me
(that speaks to the heart of me)
Though sometimes it’s hard to see
(it’s never far from me)
Alive in eternity
—Jackson Browne
Funeral Home: Dowds-Snyder Funeral Home
Website: www.snyderfuneralhomes.com