Richard Rogers, Sr
July 25, 1926 — February 21, 2014
Richard J. Rogers, Sr., age 87, of Manteno, IL passed away Friday, February 21, 2014 at Presence St. Mary's Hospital in Kankakee. He was born north of Pillager, MN on July 25, 1926, the son of George and Minnie (Fish) Rogers. He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Allen and George; six sisters, Pearl, Ivy, Ruby, Ruth, Claryce, and Anna; a grandson, Gary Jones; and a nephew, Father Michael Ginter.
He is survived by his wife, Marjorie E. (Ginter) Rogers, who he married in Santa Rosa, CA. Richard and Marjorie were blessed with 68 years of marriage on February 16, 2014. He is also survived by four children; his two daughters, Audrey (Jim) Van Hoveln and Mary (Larry) Jones of Manteno; and two sons, Steven Rogers of Hutton, IL and Richard Jr. (Mary) Rogers of Peotone; four grandchildren, Jim (Jennifer) Van Hoveln, Jamie Stokes, Beth (Craig) Acton, and Jerry (Christine) Jones; nine great-grandchildren, Ilana Van Hoveln, Dillon Jones, Easton Jones, Janel Knight, and Elizabeth, Caeley, Mackenzie, Danica, and Travis Acton; and three great-great-grandchildren, Michael, Hannah, and Elizabeth.
Richard served in the US Navy and received an honorable discharge on October 22, 1946 at the Naval Air Station in Alameda, CA. He was a General Motors (Fisher Body) employee for 29 years first working as a millwright then as a millwright supervisor. He never tired of roaming the Minnesota woods on his four-wheeler. He loved to golf and visit with his grandkids. He was a member of the Immanuel United Church of Christ in Peotone and was a 50 year member of the Peotone American Legion Post 392. Richard always remembered the winters he and Marjorie spent in Arizona. He always said, "We have met and enjoyed the company of many wonderful people."
Visitation will be held on Tuesday, February 25 from 4:00-8:00 p.m. at the Fedde-Helfrich-Cross Funeral Home in Peotone. Funeral services and military honors will be at the funeral home on Wednesday, February 26 at 11:00 a.m., Rev. Dwight Gorbold officiating. Burial will be at Peotone Cemetery. Memorials to the Family's Wishes would be appreciated.