Obituary

Lee R. Rodgers

Obituary

Lee R. Rodgers, 91, of Newton, died Wednesday (July 14, 2010) at Newton Medical Center.

He was born on June 12, 1919, in Newton, the son of Charles and Emma Holdeman Rodgers.

He graduated from Newton High School.

Lee started working for Midland National Bank on March 13, 1938, and, except for time in the Army, remained with the bank until retiring on July 1, 1983. Lee still was a member of the bank's board of directors.

Lee was inducted into the U.S. Army on April 11, 1942, and served at Camp Robinson in Little Rock, Ark., until 1944. It was at Camp Robinson that he married Maxine Smith on Jan. 9, 1943.

Lee served in New Guinea, the Luzon, Philippines, until Jan. 9, 1945, when he returned to the United States and was discharged on Jan. 1, 1946, at Ft. Leavenworth.

Lee was a member of Newton Church of the Brethren since August 1940, where he served as treasurer for 50 years. He also served 50 years as treasurer of Church World Service/CROP.

Lee also was an active member of the Newton Lions Club for more than 50 years, was a volunteer with RSVP, and enjoyed auctions and growing flowers.

Survivors include his son, Mike Rodgers and wife Debi of Newton; daughter, Patricia Dreier of Newton; brother, Keith Rodgers of San Antonio, Texas; sisters, Zeta Brandt of LaVerne, Calif., and Edith Wiley of Newton; seven grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.

Lee was preceded in death by his parents; his wife on July 8, 1981; and daughter, Barbara Regier.

Friends may call at the funeral home from 1 to 8 p.m. Sunday, where the family will receive friends from 4 to 6 p.m.

Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday at Church of the Brethren.

Interment will be in East Lawn Cemetery in Zimmerdale.

A memorial has been established with Newton Church of the Brethren and the Newton Lions Club. Contributions may be sent to Broadway Colonial Funeral Home, 120 E. Broadway, Newton, KS.

Condolences may be left at www.broadwaycolonialfh.com.