Rodger was born on September 3, 1948, in Warsaw, Indiana to Norman and Janice Phillips.
Rodger was a goldsmith jeweler by trade and worked in the jewelry industry for over 40 years. He owned and operated Phillips Jewelry in Belvidere. He worked at B. Sanfield and Clodious & Co. Jewelers retiring in 2018 at the age of 69.
He married Janice Kjenner on June 11, 1988.
Rodger proudly served in the army in the infantry, Americal Division I Corp, during the Vietnam conflict.
He enjoyed reading, working in the yard, and working on jigsaw puzzles. Rodger enjoyed hiking with his wife Janice in Branson, Missouri and various forest preserves. He was an avid Chicago Bears fan.
Rodger was a member of the Vietnam Honor Society and enjoyed their monthly dinners at Lino's.
He was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather who loved his family dearly.
Rodger is survived by his wife of 38 years, Janice; daughter Trisha (Brian) Anderson, son David (Amy) Phillips, step-daughters Kimberly (Jon) Graham and Deborah Kjenner, step-son Steven (Pam) Kjenner; 13 grandchildren, 4 great-grandchildren; his sister, Elaine Voiles; sisters-in-law, Janet Murphy, Nancy (Terry) Kurzinski, and Linda Phillips, and numerous nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his parents Norman and Janice Phillips; sister, Judy Hillis; brother, Michael Phillips; brothers-in-law, Chuck Murphy and Norman Beck.
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly asks for donations to the Rockford Rescue Mission or to the Vietnam Honors Society.
Visitation will be held on October 8, 2026, at 10:30-11:30am at Calvary Christian Church 5455 Charles street, Rockford IL, 61108.
Funeral service will be held on October 8, 2026 at 11:30am at Calvary Christian Church.
Burial will follow at Sunset Memorial Gardens 8800 North Alpine Rd., Machesney Park, IL 61115
