WLKM Radio 95.9 FM
Roger Allen VanAvery, age 72, of Sturgis, passed away Sunday, May 7, 2023 in Brady Township, Michigan.
He was born June 27, 1950 in Kalamazoo, son of the late Richard and Mary (Euler) VanAvery.
Roger’s early life was spent in Sturgis where he was a member of the Sturgis High School class of 1968. Following his graduation he moved to Jeffersonville, Indiana where he married Bonnie Lee Warman. The couple lived in Jeffersonville until returning to Sturgis in 1990.
Roger was a truck driver by trade and a member of the Stone Church in Wolcottville, Indiana.
Roger was proud to have served his country in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam war earning the rank of SP4.
He was an avid fisherman and loved time with family, especially when he was playing with his grandchildren.
Roger is survived by his loving wife of 54 years: Bonnie; daughter: Tammy (Cody) Mitchell of Sturgis; granddaughter: Heather (Logan) Smith of Sturgis; great grandchildren: Goose, Kyra and Maverick; sisters: Nancy Lipko, Ellen (Gene) Waite and Mable Waite all of Sturgis, Phyllis Buchannan of Michigan, Paula (David) Rodriguez and Diana Edmunds both of Kalamazoo and Julie Roth of Texas; brothers: Bruce VanAvery of Las Vegas, Nevada, Carl Hale of Kalamazoo and Matt Talon of Michigan and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parent, step-mother: Mary Hale; son: Troy VanAvery; sisters: Lois Kerschner and Cookie Mezo and brothers: Ed Euler and Larry Carter.
The family will receive friends from 12:00 noon to 2:00 and 4:00 to 6:00 on Thursday, May 11th at the Stone Church, 7270 IN-9, Wolcottville, IN 46795. Funeral services celebrating the life of Roger Allen VanAvery will immediately follow the visitation at 6:00 pm Thursday. Pastor Michael Stanley will officiate. Burial will take place at 9:30 am Friday, May 12th at Fort Custer National Cemetery in Augusta. Full military honors will be conferred by the Fort Custer Honor Guard and the U.S. Army Honor Guard.
The Hackman Family Funeral Homes of Sturgis is entrusted with the arrangements.
Memorial donations would be appreciated to the Stone Church.
We encourage relatives and friends to share memories and condolences at www.hackmanfamilyfuneralhomes.com.
