Charles W. “Pete” Rogers, 74, of Peoria Heights, passed away at 11:02 a.m. on Sunday, June 14, 2009, at home.
Chuck was born on February 6, 1935 in Makanda, a son of George Walter and Juanita Pauline (Wright) Rogers. He married Wanda Lula Cheesman on November 5, 1953 in Peoria. She survives.
He is also survived by his daughter, Mary Juanita Rogers (Travis Polston) of Peoria Heights; sons, George Walter (Debra) Rogers of Peoria Heights, Pete Auston (Viola) Rogers of Morton, Kenneth Lyndon (Sherrie) Rogers of East Peoria, John Alan (Paula) Rogers of Peoria and Wayne Willard (Tracey) Rogers of Farmington; sister, Jane Pauline (David) Galles of Hayward, WI; twenty-four grandchildren; and eighteen great grandchildren.
His parents; two brothers, Wayne Willard and Vernon Lee Rogers; and one great grandson, Matthew Harold Cody, preceded him in death.
Chuck was in the 44th Division of the National Guard and served in the U.S. Marine Corps during the Korean War.
He was a welder for Wabco Engineering from 1976 to 1986. He last worked with his son, John, at Sparkling Finish Car Wash and Farmington Road Towing in Peoria.
Chuck was a life member of the Hanna City Sportsmen’s Club and was the former owner of Chuck’s TV Repair for twenty-one years.
He enjoyed working in his garage, gardening, Monday Night Wrestling, restoring old cars, fishing, camping, walking, building garages, home improvements and playing his guitar.
He learned to play guitar at the age of seventy-one and enjoyed playing and listening to old Country and Western Music. Tex Ritter was his favorite performer and “Six Miles to the Graveyard” and “Tom Dooley” were his favorite songs. He also enjoyed traveling to New Salem for the Blue Grass Festival.
He most enjoyed spending time with his wife and their fifty-five years of marriage.
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. on Thursday, June 18, 2009, at the Unity Church of Peoria, with Fr. Terry Cassidy officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to services at the church. Interment will be at Lutheran Cemetery in Peoria, with military honors provided by the U.S. Marine Corps and Tazewell Military Rites Team.
Memorial contributions may be made in Chuck's memory to Hospice Compassus or to the American Cancer Society's Road to Recovery.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Clary Funeral Home in Peoria.
There was never a doubt that my father loved all of his kids. He always gave us everything we needed. We always were provided for. He showed up for the job everyday and we always knew he loved us everyday and would always be there for us. Growing up we went camping and fishing and went on picnics. I enjoyed a lot of walks with my dad and we watched a lot of old movies together. He taught me to stand on my own two feet no matter what life handed me. He was a great father and grandfather.
| Jerry Jiles |
Family of Chuck (Pete) Rogers |
June 22, 2009 |
I want to extend my condolences to all of Chuck's family over the "temporary" loss of your Husband, Brother, Father, Grandfather, and Great Grandfather. My Father passed away on June 14th, 1976. Having Father's Day so close after losing him just added to the grief. I believe Chuck is alive and well in Heaven and is enjoying being reunited with the family members that have gone on before. I pray that you can find comfort in knowing this.
Jerry Jiles
| Grace Marquardt |
Family of Pete Rogers |
June 19, 2009 |
I am so sorry for your lose. Pete was a great guy. He will surly be missed by all the lives he touched. Bob and I send our prayers to all of you. May God's love comfort all of you. Grace n Bob Marquardt
| Don & Verla Scott |
He will be missed. |
June 17, 2009 |
Don and I want to express our condolences on the death of your Father. As my Uncle Wilb told me when my Mom died, today you've lost something you can never replace.
Since John has been a part of our family for many years, we appreciate and thank the family that raised him so well. You are all in our prayers.
Don and Verla (Swords) Scott
