Jim Rodgers' Obituary
Jim Rodgers, age 70, of Grand Haven passed away Saturday, May 10, 2008. He was born September 16, 1937, in Tyronza, Arkansas to Leon and Ruth (Bynum) Rodgers. He moved to Grand Haven from Beedeville, AR in 1955. He married the former Karen Bergenson on May 13, 1972 in Poughkeepsie, New York.
Mr. Rodgers served in the US Army, Corps of Engineers, and the National Guard. He was employed as a welder at Bastian Blessing for 24 years and later retired from W.H. Porter in Holland.
Jim enjoyed stamp and coin collecting, hunting of all kinds, fishing, watching John Wayne movies, gardening, and bowling, but most of all spending time with his large extended family.
He is survived by his wife of 36 years, Karen; 2 sons: Robert (Karen) of Mesa, AZ and David (Georgiana) of Higley, AZ; 3 daughters: Lisa (Mike) Garduno of Paradise Valley, AZ; Jennifer (Dan) LeMaire of Coopersville; and Tracy (Dennis) St. James of Sterling Heights, MI; 10 grandchildren: Jason, Adam, Autumn, Michael, Eric, Molly, Abigail, Alexandria, Fred, and Caitlyn; great-grandchild, Alyssa; 3 sisters: Ruth Stowe of Muskegon, Jean (Don) Castner of Whitehall and Mary Ward of Granbury, TX; 3 brothers: Boyce of Edgewater, FL; Lee of Grand Haven; and Charles (Asma) of Kissimmee, FL; lifelong best friend and brother-in-law, Mack Baumgarner of Grand Haven; and many loving nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his sister Opal Baumgarner, brothers-in-law, Frank “J.D.” Stowe and Tom Ward; nephew Harrel Stowe; and infant niece Dena Rodgers.
The service for Mr. Rodgers will be held at 1:00 p.m. Thursday, May 15, 2008, at VanZantwick Bartels Kammeraad Funeral Home in Grand Haven with Pastor Don Letson officiating. Friends may meet the family 2-4 & 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, May 14, at the funeral home in Grand Haven. Interment will be in Lakeshore Cemetery. Full military rites will be accorded by the VFW Sgt. Alvin Jonker Post #2326. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions to the American Cancer Society or the American Lung Association. Share memories with the family at their online guest book at www.vbkfuneralhome.com.
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