Carl Troyer

Carl Troyer (4.8.39 - 5.30.26)

Carl Troyer was born April 8, 1939, in Orville, Ohio, to Moses “Mosey” and Gladys (Kreischer) Troyer.

After growing up in the area surrounding Orville, he attended Orrville High School in Orville, Ohio. All through his life, he sketched, drew, and painted. But after high school, he worked in a local hospital and at a plant before moving across the country to California, where he held numerous jobs. He played piano for a country-western band, appeared in episodes of western television shows, and sketched album covers for artists such as Barbara Mandrel, Buck Owens and Bill Anderson. After a short spell back in Ohio in the 80’s, he moved northwest, to the Oregon-Washington area. This period marks his turn toward art as his main line of work, doing caricatures, portraits of celebrities, and even courtroom sketches as a trial artist. His artwork was displayed in various locations across the country where he traveled or spent short periods of time, including restaurants like Grumpy’s in Hobe Sound, Florida and Hammond’s Family Restaurant in Madison, Indiana, usually signed by his popular nickname “Rod” Troyer.

Around 2000, Carl moved to Madison, Indiana to be close to his mother Gladys who was widowed. He traveled the fair and festival circuits, setting up an easel to sketch attendees and community members. After twenty-four years, he moved to Rittman, Ohio, to be close to his two sons, first at Rittman Town Manor and then, as his health began to fail, at Autumnwood Nursing and Rehab Center. This is where he passed away after an extended illness on May 30, 2026.

Preceding him in death were his parents and his three sisters, Betty Clark, Arlene Wilson and Sherilyn Marshall. He is survived by his two sons, Scott and Steve Troyer and his former wife and mother of the boys, Janet (Fanhouser) Hetrick.