Eugene E. "Gene" Rodgers

 Eugene E. Gene Rodgers, age 83, of rural Patch Grove, entered into his Fathers heavenly home on Monday, February 15, 2010, at Grant Regional Health Center in Lancaster, after having been in poor health for several years.

Gene was born in Roseville, IL, on June 5, 1926, to John E. and Ethyle (Olsen) Rodgers. He was educated in the Roseville schools. On March 3, 1940, he accepted Christ as his Savior and faithfully served as a member of the Roseville Christian Church. On June 3, 1944, he enlisted in the United States Navy, receiving his boot camp training at Great Lakes Training Base near Chicago. He proudly served with the 3^rd and 7^th fleets in the Pacific area on the battleship, USS San Francisco. On May 22, 1946, he was honorably discharged with a gunners mate 3^rd class rank.

He married Betty Ray in the Roseville Christian Church on December 7, 1947, and they farmed in the Roseville area, near Galesburg and Alexis, IL. In 1966, they moved to their dairy farm south of Prairie du Chien. Gene and Betty celebrated their 62^nd wedding anniversary last December. They are the proud parents of Sharon, Terrell, TX; Julie Anne and Kerry, Onalaska; Loree (Bob) Nies, Patch Grove; Stephen (Tina), Muscoda; John and Robyn at home; he is grandpa to Jeremy (Cara) Rodgers, Gillette, WY; Joanie, Jessica, Jennalea, Renee, Monica, Skylar and Simon Rodgers of Muscoda; Allie and Carter Rodgers are his great-grandchildren in Wyoming; two brothers: Leland (Evelyn) and Rolland (Marjorie) Rodgers, both of Roseville, IL.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Lois Fackler; a nephew, Mike Rodgers; an infant brother, Kenneth.

Gene was a faithful member of the Bible Baptist Church in Prairie du Chien, having served as a deacon for many years. He was a man of his word and testimony of what God can do in your life when you are totally committed to Him and He is first in your life and your dealings with others. He is only separated from his beloved family for a short time until each one is called Home. Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth and the life: no man cometh unto the Father but by me. John 14:6.

 Funeral services were held at the Bible Baptist Church in Prairie du Chien on Friday, February 19, 2010, at 11:00 a.m. with Pastor Andy Doll officiating. Burial was in Union Nagle Cemetery, Patch Grove Township, near their home. Family and friends were welcome at Martin Funeral Home in Bloomington on Thursday, February 18, 2010, from 7:00 p.m. until 9:30 p.m. and from 10:00 a.m. until time of services at the church on Friday. In lieu of plants and flowers, an Eugene Rodgers memorial fund was established.