Willard W. Rodgers
Ottawa ? Services for Willard W. Rodgers, 76, Ottawa, were Feb. 9 at Dengel & Son Mortuary in Ottawa. Burial was in Highland Cemetery in Ottawa.
Mr. Rodgers died Thursday, Feb. 5, 2004, at Richmond Care Center.
He was born Dec. 9, 1927, in Ottawa, the son of Walter H. and Vinnie (DeWald) Rodgers. He graduated from Ottawa High School in 1945 and was a lifelong Ottawa resident.
Mr. Rodgers was a heavy equipment operator and worked for several companies, including Hercules Sunflower Ammunition Plant in De Soto. He helped build the LaCynge Power Plant and construct missile bases in Missouri and Kansas. He retired in January 1989.
He served with the Marines in 1945 and 1946 in Virginia. He was a member of Faith Lutheran Church in Ottawa, Local Union No. 101 in Topeka, Warren Black Post No. 60 of the American Legion in Ottawa and several car clubs.
He married Dorothy Lang on Jan. 23, 1949, in Garnett. She survives of the home.
Other survivors include three sons, Don, Shelton, Wash., Charles “Butch,” McLouth, and Keith, Eudora; a daughter, Judy Van Fleet, Woodland Hills, Calif.; a sister, Gwen Whitebread, Baldwin; eight grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
The family suggests memorials to the American Diabetes Assn., sent in care of the mortuary, 235 S. Hickory St., Ottawa 66067.
Online condolences may be sent to dengelmortuary@sbcglobal.net.