Thomas Rogers

Thomas W. Rogers, 69, of Rockford, Ohio passed away on Wednesday, July 22, 2015 at 12:30 am at the Van Wert Inpatient Hospice Center in Van Wert. Tom was born in Celina, Ohio on May 18, 1946 to Woodrow W. and Beatrice (Vining) Rogers. He lived in Rockford his entire life and graduated from Parkway High School in 1964. He also enlisted in the National Guard. Tom then married Barbara Taylor on December 19, 1969 and she survives. Tom was very active in his church and community. He was a Sunday school teacher, youth advisor and trustee of then Grace United Methodist Church. He presently was attending Praise Point in Willshire. Tom was a member of the American Legion Post #508. For many years, he provided spiritual inspiration through music and entertainment at the Rockford Belle. He was the 2011 Rockford Citizen of the Year. Over the years, he was active in the Lions Club, Variety Show, RADC and Parkway Board of Education. Tom was a member of the Mercer County Farm Bureau and received the Mercer County Conservation Award. Surviving with Barbara are 2 children: Andy (Michelle) Rogers of Rockford and Melissa (Jeremy) Hostetler of Ft. Wayne, Indiana. A sister, Nancy (Ralph) Ritz, Rockford, also survives. Tom was able to enjoy 6 grandchildren: Grace, Jacob, Zachary and Adalynn Rogers and Makenna and Megan Hostetler. Services for Tom will be held at the Praise Point Church in Willshire, Ohio on Saturday, July 25, 2015 at 10:30 AM. Pastor Mark Rutledge will be officiating. Burial will follow at the Riverside Cemetery. Family and friends may call on the family at The Rockford Belle on Friday, July 24, 2015 from 2:00 to 8:00 PM or 1 hour prior to the service at the church. The family asks that memorials be directed to The Shanes Park Legacy Fund.