WLKM Radio 95.9 FM
Staff Sergeant Kristopher Dan Rodgers, age 29, of Burr Oak, Mich., and formerly of Howe, Ind., and a graduate of Lakeland High School in LaGrange, Ind., with the class of 1998, was killed Saturday, Aug. 16, 2008, in Korengal Valley, Afghanistan, while serving his country with the U.S. Army.
He was born Dec. 29, 1978 in LaGrange, Ind., a son to Danny and Kathryn (Smith) Rodgers.
Kristopher had resided in Howe, Ind., most of his life. On Oct. 2, 1999, he married Selina Schroeder in Three Rivers, Mich.
He had served in the U.S. Army for the past eight years. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, Fort Hood, Texas.
Kristopher had a true passion and love of football and was a fan of the Chicago Bears and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. He was also a fan of the Detroit Red Wings and enjoyed food, fishing and playing golf. Kristopher had many interests and hobbies, but his No. 1 concern and love in his life was his family.
He is survived by his loving wife, Selina; 4 ½-year-old son, Kaden Dan Rodgers; mother, Kathryn (Dennis) Wiard of Howe, Ind.; step-sister, Rachel Wiard of Sturgis; step-brother Joshua Wiard of Burr Oak; grandmothers, Vivian Smith of Shipshewana, Ind., and Rose Hinkleman of Adrian, Mich.; mother-in-law, Cheryl (Pat) Evans of Three Rivers; father-in-law, Douglas Schroeder of Burr Oak,; sisters-in-law, Janell (Richie) Ultz of Burr Oak, Hazel (Jacob) Shingledecker of Three Rivers, Jennifer (Jeremy) Palmer of Sturgis, Charity Kurtz of Chicago and Haruka (Jason) Griffith of Green Valley, Ariz.
His father; grandfathers, James Smith and Bill Rodgers and brother-in-law, Shaun Reaper preceded him in death.
Graveside services, burial of ashes and the honoring of two American heroes, Staff Sergeant Kristopher Dan Rodger and his father Seaman Danny L. Rodgers will take place Saturday, Sept. 26th at 3 p.m. at the Burr Oak Cemetery in Burr Oak where full military rites will be conferred by Captain John J. Kelley Post #1355 VFW.
The Hackman Family Funeral Homes – Rosenberg Chapel, 807 E. Chicago Rd., Sturgis, MI 49091 is handling the arrangements.
As a way of saying thank you to the many friends that have given help and support during this most difficult time the Rodgers family invite you to join them for a reception to begin at 5 p.m. Sept. 26 (a meal will be served from 5-11 p.m.) at the LaGrange American Legion, 100 Industrial Pkwy., LaGrange, Ind.
The obituary is also at www.hackmanfamilyfunrealhome.com where personal messages of support may be left for the family.
Danny L. Rodgers, age 23, of LaGrange, Ind., honorably discharged veteran of the U.S. Navy, died May 19, 1978, in LaGrange County due to injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident.
He was born Oct. 22, 1954, in Summersville, W. Va., a son to William and Rosemary (Fitzwater) Rodgers.
Danny had resided in LaGrange for one year. His early life was spent in the Tecumseh, Mich. area.
He is survived by his wife, Kathryn Wiard of Howe, Ind.; other, Rose Hinkleman of Adrian, Mich.; two brothers, Bill (Robin) Rodgers of Missouri and Ken Rodgers of Michigan; two sisters, Debbie (Eric) Beaudry of Colorado and Minnie (Jeff) Spreeman of Michigan.
Graveside services, burial of ashes and the honoring of two American heroes Seaman Danny L. Rodgers and his son Staff Sergeant Kristopher Dan Rodgers will take place Saturday, Sept. 26th at 3 p.m. at the Burr Oak Cemetery in Burr Oak. Full military rites will be conferred by Captain John J. Kelley Post #1355 VFW and the U.S. Navy Honor Guard.
The Hackman Family Funeral Homes – Rosenberg Chapel, 807 E. Chicago Road, Sturgis, MI 49091 is handling the arrangements.
As a way of saying thank you to the many friends that have given help and support during this most difficult time the Rodgers family invite you to join them for a reception to begin at 5 p.m. Sept. 26 (a meal will be served from 5-11 p.m.) at the LaGrange American Legion, 100 Industrial Parkway, LaGrange, Ind.
The obituary is also at www.hackmanfamilyfunrealhome.com where personal messages of support may be left for the family.
