Obituaries
Obituary for Fred Rogers
God on high
Hear my prayer
In my need
You have always been there...
Fred Rogers was born in Chicago, Illinois on April 4, 1926. He will be remembered for his fondness for family, faith, and fixing things. Because Fred was one of 10 children, family came naturally to him. During the Great Depression, his family moved to a primitive farm in Olney, Illinois where he learned the value of hard work and that things are always breaking and in need of fixing. That included the family car that needed to be pushed down the muddy farm roads before they could go to church on Sunday.
During World War II, Fred served in the Army Air Corp. After the War, he earned his degree in Civil Engineering from Bradley University while working for the Illinois Highway Department. Later, from 1970 until he retired in 1988, he was the Superintendent of Highways for Peoria County where he was responsible for fixing the County's potholes, bridges, and highways. In his spare time, he was a private pilot and an avid woodworker who reclaimed barnwood before that was cool.
Music was always an important part of Fred's life. From playing trumpet, guitar, and the piano to singing in church and at family gatherings, he found great joy in songs as diverse as "There's a Hole in the Bottom of the Sea" and "Bring Him Home." He served as a trustee of St. Clement Catholic Church of Dunlap and later in the choir and as a trustee of St. Jude Catholic Church of Peoria. He would also honor veterans by playing Taps at numerous Central Illinois funerals over the years.
In recent years, Fred's memory began to fail him, but through it all, his smile remained true. He is survived by his much loved wife of 65 years, Colette (nee Schmillen); children Mark (Theresa), Matt (Elaine), Teresa Kirchgessner (Ken), Kim Gordon (Steve), Rosalie Gallagher (Dan), Fred (Jennie), Mary Schopp (Bob), and Luke (Micki); and a sister, Ruth Armentrout.
In addition, Fred will be remembered by many of his 30 grandchildren for his whiskers and hugs and by his 30 plus great-grandchildren for the wonderful wooden toys he crafted for them.
Fred flew home to his Lord and Savior on August 5, 2018
Visitation is scheduled for Friday, August 10 from 5 - 7 p.m. at Wright and Salmon Mortuary in Peoria with Recitation of the Rosary at 6:45. A second visitation will be at St. Jude Catholic Church on Saturday, August 11 from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. with a Funeral Mass at 10:30. Interment will follow at St. Clement Cemetery on N. Park School Rd, Dunlap.
As an expression of sympathy, in lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions may be sent to either the Fisher Center for Alzheimer's Research Foundation or St. Jude Catholic Church, Peoria.
The summers die
One by one
How soon they fly
On and on
Let him rest
Heaven blessed.
Bring him home
Bring him home
Bring him home...
Previous Events
Visitation
Friday
10
Aug
5:00 PM
- 7:00 PM
Wright & Salmon Mortuary
2416 N North St
Peoria, IL 61604
Visitation
Saturday
11
Aug
9:30 AM
- 10:30 AM
Wright & Salmon Mortuary
2416 N North St
Peoria, IL 61604
Funeral Mass
Saturday
11
Aug
10:30 AM
St. Jude Catholic Church
10811 N. Knoxville Ave.
Peoria, IL 61615
Cemetery Details
Location
St. Clements Cemetery
Dunlap, IL
Memorial Contribution
St. Jude Catholic Church
10811 N. Knoxville Ave.
Peoria, IL 61615
Peoria, IL 61615
Loading...