Donald E. Rogers

Donald was born on March 31, 1922 in Champaign, the son of Donald and Mildred Clark Rogers. He married Rita Winter on April 24, 1954 at St. Edmund Church in Oak Park, IL.

He was a graduate of Springfield High School. He received his bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Illinois at Champaign, Urbana and his Master’s Degree from the University of Illinois at Springfield. He was a U.S. Army Veteran serving during WWII. He was a charter member of Christ The King Catholic Church where he was active in their choir, member of Holy Name Society and St. Vincent de Paul. He was also a member of Telephone Pioneers. He served as a volunteer for American Cancer Society, American Red Cross, St. John’s Hospice serving over 5000 hours and St. Martin de Porres. He was a kind, sweet gentleman who enjoyed the Springfield Municipal Choir, gardening and was an avid St. Louis Cardinal Baseball fan.

Donald retired in 1982 from Illinois Bell Telephone Company (SBC) where he had been employed as an electrical engineer for thirty-seven years.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

He is survived by his wife: Rita Rogers of Springfield; four sons: Mike (wife, Terry) Rogers, Tim Rogers, Rick (wife, Joan) Rogers and John (wife, Valerie) Rogers all of Springfield; one daughter: Kathy (husband, Dave) Dowling of Paxton; eight grandchildren: Laura and Chris Dowling, Emily and Joel Rogers, Andrew and Claire Rogers and Megan and Nolan Rogers

The family will receive friends from 4-7:00 p.m. on Sunday, August 21, 2005 at Kirlin-Egan and Butler Funeral Home, 900 S. 6th St. Springfield. Visitation will begin with a prayer service at 4:00 p.m. Funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, August 22, 2005 at Christ The King Catholic Church, 1930 Barberry, Springfield with Rev. Msgr. David S. Lantz celebrant. Burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery.

Memorial Contributions may be made to St. Joseph’s Home, 3306 S. 6th St. Rd., Springfield, IL 62703 or St. John’s Hospice, 800 E. Carpenter, Springfield, Il 62702 or St. Martin de Porres, 1725 South Grand Ave. East, Springfield, IL 62703.

The family of Donald E. Rogers is being served by Kirlin-Egan and Butler Funeral Home, 900 S. 6th St. Springfield.