Roger Alan Deem

He fought the good fight!

He was born Friday, February 7, 1958 in Jacksonville, Illinois, to William C. Deem and Elizabeth Ann “Betty” Miller Kinnett Deem who both preceded him in death. He was also preceded by his brother Thomas Gail Kinnett in 2013 and by cousin Robert “Bob” David Deem in April of 2020.

He is survived by: oldest brother, William Gary Kinnett (Cheryll) and niece Kristana Becherer (William) of Roseburg, Oregon; nephews: Ryan Kinnett (Karen) of Salem, Oregon, and Chad Kinnett (Amy) of Billings, Montana; Aunt Helen Harrell Deem of Rockledge, Florida; cousins: Laura Deem Presson (Daniel), Bob’s widow Victoria Deem, Edward Alan Deem (Teresa) also all of Rockledge, Florida, and William Lewis Deem (Yong “Sunny”) of Ruffin, South Carolina. In addition, there are numerous second and third cousins, friends, church family, former step children and grandchildren, as well as his “foster family” of the past 5 years with Edithflor “Ploy” Rafanan Murillo in Tandag City, Surigao del Sur, Philippines who will miss him intensely.

Thanks to the efforts of his parents, church leaders, and most of all his two grandmothers, Roger overcame a troubled youth and developed a strong belief in God. In 1985 he moved from Jacksonville, Illinois to Champaign, Illinois in order to care for Grandma Deem as she battled cancer. Scared with this change in his life and facing her eventual death, he reconnected with Pastor Ralph Nast at First Baptist Church of Champaign where Grandma attended, as did Roger when visiting his grandmother as a child, as well as when living with her. Roger described the moment of his conversion to Christianity as a “joy bomb” exploding in his chest. “A radiating, atomic burst of pure love....” From that moment on, he needed no other evidence that Jesus is the Christ, that He and His Word are trustworthy. In all Roger did in his life after that time he strove to be a light shining the love of Jesus and to be used by the Lord as a lifeline for other lost and drifting souls.

Roger loved to laugh, especially at himself, and to encourage others to laugh. He served God and His world in many capacities. As a Boy Scout, Roger achieved Eagle Scout in 1975 and was later on staff and involved in leading Boy Scout summer camp programs for six seasons from 1980-85. He pioneered Champaign Scout Troop 524 producing several Eagle Scouts during his tenure when he lived in Champaign. In 1995 he joined the Jacksonville, Illinois Kiwanis Club where his Dad was also a member, both of them until their respective deaths. The Jacksonville Club awarded him Kiwanian of the Year in 2001. As Club President in 2004-2005 he was instrumental in establishing the North Elementary School Partnership program which is still very strong today. Roger said he had the most fun when he was selected to serve as the Lieutenant Governor for Division 29 of the Illinois-Eastern Iowa District of Kiwanis in 2005-2006, for which he earned Distinguished Lieutenant Governor recognition, and was selected by Division 29 to receive the Dr. Luis V. Amador Medallion. Roger was instrumental in establishing the William Deem Science Award (in memory of his Dad) to honor the graduating senior from Jacksonville High School with the highest grades in science. In 2015 he was recipient of a Kiwanis International George F. Hixson Fellowship. He held many other leadership positions throughout his service in Kiwanis and wrote a book on the history of the Jacksonville Club. Because he just couldn’t serve enough, he had recently joined the LIONS Club in the summer of 2019. In addition to these service organizations, Roger also enriched and entertained his town through numerous community theater performances.

Roger went to Jacksonville High School and Lincoln Land Community College. In the late 70’s and early 80’s, he was a sports photo journalist including finally publishing a book in 2013 about the history of professional wrestling and Sam Muchnick’s Missouri State Championship called, “The Strap”. Roger and his friend for 40 years, David “Mayor” Cox, worked together on numerous scouting, college, and work projects, including projects for the Army Corps of Engineers, as well as frequently golfing poorly. Both Roger and his Dad worked at Big Eli Bridge Company, where Roger was a technical writer. After Big Eli, Roger worked at Production Xpress in Jacksonville. In February 2007, Roger was employed by, and often proudly participated in fundraisers for, the Jacksonville Area Center for Independent Living “JACIL” until he died.

Roger had a very generous nature and participated in other charities in addition to JACIL. He was locked up and “bailed” out for the Muscular Distrophy Association, he did Walks for Life to benefit the Pregnancy Resource Center, and he hosted and organized Trivia Games at his church, First Baptist Church of Jacksonville, with the proceeds going to their Personal Needs Pantry to provide household items for people.

After his cremation, Roger will reside with his cousins in Florida until the weather warms up, COVID is more under control, and a proper celebration of his life in Jacksonville can be arranged. He will eventually be interred with Grandma Deem and family at Grandview Memorial Gardens, Champaign, Illinois.

Condolences and/or donations can be sent to:

The Roger Deem Memorial

First Baptist Church of Jacksonville

1701 Mound Road

Jacksonville, IL 62650

or online to same at:

https://www.gofundme.com/f/roger-deem-memorial?qid=7faf234ea5703d4bbc5130379ac66564

Arrangements by Davison-Fulton Woodlawn Chapel in Peoria, Illinois

http://www.dignitymemorial.com/funeral-homes/peoria-il/davison-fulton-woodland-chapel/4204