Donald Louis Rogers

Donald was born May 22, 1937, in Granite City, IL, the son of Alfred W. and Dorothy C. (Feldworth) Rogers. He married Mary Ann Peidl on May 15, 1965, in Springfield, IL.

Don was an avid outdoorsman who loved hunting, fishing, and training bird dogs with his brother Bill. He was a heavy equipment operator with the Operating Engineers Local 965. While his career kept him very busy working long hours, he always made time to coach his daughter’s soccer and softball teams, lend a hand on projects for family and friends and he always had a cold Miller High Life at the end of a hard day’s work. He retired after spending over 40 years dedicated to his trade and went on to spend his retirement years attending his grandchildren’s sports events and making his family his number one priority.

Don was in the second graduating class of Little Flower Grade School where he was blessed to meet Sr. Mary Pauletta Overbeck, who became a lifelong family friend and mentor for the entire Rogers family. He went on to graduate from Cathedral Boys High School in 1955. Don was drafted to serve in the United States Army and he proudly told stories of his time on the 51st Infantry Marksmanship Team where he was a decorated “Swing Man” winning several championships, often outscoring the opposition by himself.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Michael D. and Daniel C. Rogers; sister-in-law, Bernice Rogers; brother-in-law, William C. Schuchardt Sr.; nephew, William C. Schuchardt, Jr.; niece, Melissa E. Rogers and nephew, Mason Rogers.

Don is survived by his wife, Mary Ann; daughters, Brenda K. Rogers and Laura A. Rogers; grandchildren, Brian A. (Christina) Johnson, Kathryn L. Johnson, Sydney E. Johnson, and Emily G. Leefers; and great grandsons, William D. Johnson and Vincent D. Johnson. He is also survived by his siblings, William D. Rogers of Springfield, Dennis S. (Carol) Rogers of Bloomington, Diane G. Rogers of Springfield, Douglas L. (Chris) Rogers of Springfield, David B. (Jennifer) Rogers of Normal, Debra S. (Bill) Greenan, and Duane A. Rogers of Humble, TX; and over fifty nieces and nephews.

Visitation: Family will receive friends from 4:00-7:00 p.m. on Friday, April 11, 2025, at Butler Funeral Home-Springfield, 900 S. 6th Street, Springfield.

Mass of Christian Burial: 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 12, 2025, at Church of the Little Flower. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery with Military Honors.

Memorial contributions may be made to: Donald Rogers Memorial Fund, c/o Heartland Credit Union, 2213 W. White Oaks Dr., Springfield, IL 62704.