Dennis Leroy Rodgers, 82, of Wappapello, Missouri, passed away Monday, December 9, 2024, at his home surrounded by his family. He was born July 1, 1942, to the late John Rodgers and Freida Powell Rodgers.
Over the years he worked many jobs, but his love was the life he built with the military, that started in Vietnam where he served in the United States Navy on the USS Midway with the VA-23 squadron. He later joined the Missouri National Guard 1221st unit where he climbed the ranks until he retired as First Sergeant after 42 years. Dennis was a two war Veteran from both Vietnam and Desert Storm.
On October 4, 1974, in Dexter he married Bonnie Spurlin, and they started the journey of a blended family. They faced many challenges over the years between kids, jobs and deployments but they faced it all together and conquered all even when the odds were stacked against them.
In addition to his wife Bonnie of 50 years, he is survived by two sons, Dennis Rodgers II (Karen) of Dexter, Missouri, and Dean Rodgers of Festus, Missouri; by three daughters, Martha (Jay) Followell of Jackson, Missouri, Donna (John) Wiley of Puxico, Missouri, and Sharon Chism of Wappapello, Missouri; by his sister, Ocia Bryant, by ten grandchildren, Shawn, Nikki, Ashley, Paige, Shawna, Cheyenne, Logan, Bethany, Scott and Connor; by twenty great-grandchildren, Conner, Sylas, Kyler, Zeke, Evelyn, Samual, Amelia, Alex, Abby, Justin, Tristin, Emmitt, Ezra, Elliott, Elias, Alec, Amathyst, Bentley, Wyatt, Ivy and a great-great grandson due May 2025.
Other than by his parents, he was preceded in death, by his granddaughter, Shara; by his son-in-law, James Chism; by three brothers, Dean Rodgers, Roy Rodgers, and Jim Rodgers; and by three sisters, Rita Corlew, Laverne Snider, and Leta Jameson.
Visitation will be held at Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter on Thursday, December 12, 2024, from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. Funeral services will then be conducted in the Mathis Funeral Home Chapel on Thursday, December 12, 2024, at 1:00 p.m. Interment will follow in the Missouri State Veterans Cemetery in Bloomfield with full military honors.
Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter is assisting with arrangements.
