Lillian “Kaye” M. Rogers, age 100 of Clintonville, passed away early Thursday morning, April 28, 2022, with family by her side at Aster Assisted Living, Clintonville.
Lillian “Kaye” Mae Rogers was born September 12, 1921 in Lebanon, PA, the daughter of the late Arthur and Kathryn (Heller) Kirby. She attended Swatara Township High School and later was a distinguished graduate with the class of 1940. She then attended the Good Samaritan School of Nursing in Lebanon, PA, graduating in 1943. It was in nursing school that her classmates referred to her as Miss K, (for Kirby), and later, just Kaye. The nickname stuck. Kaye served her country in the U.S. Army Nurse Corps as a First Lieutenant stateside for five years. She was stationed in Richmond, VA; and later was a surgical instrument nurse at McGuire General Hospital. Kaye then worked at Valley Forge General Hospital, Valley Forge, PA where she worked with soldiers with burn injuries and blindness. During the early years of her career, she was able to see the great effects of penicillin, a new treatment at that time. Kaye was united in marriage to Freeman D. Rogers on April 29, 1950 at Washington Memorial Chapel, Valley Forge, PA. Freeman, also a veteran and former burn patient himself, got to know Kaye during his recovery. As newlyweds, they moved to the Clintonville area where they have lived since. She was employed at the Clintonville Hospital for a time, later working at Greentree Health & Rehabilitation Center as both a staff nurse and the Director of Nurses. She was a member of the United Methodist Church, Clintonville, where she served as secretary for the various circles of the United Methodist Women. She also served on the communion team, helped to assemble the monthly newsletter, and was the Sunshine Chair, sending cards to church members in need. Kaye belonged to the TOPS Chapter #1003 for over 20 years. She later retired from nursing at age 65. Freeman preceded her in death on January 4, 2004, she later lived at Aster Assisted Living of Clintonville. Kaye was an avid reader of many books during her lifetime; she also was a card-aholic, sending all types of greeting cards to family and friends. Her family doesn’t quite know how she kept up with all the dates and addresses, but it came easily to Kaye. She will be remembered for her intelligence, work ethic, patriotism, and the love she showed to family and friends.
She is survived by her: sons: Michael (Leah) Rogers, Hortonville; Brent (Sue) Rogers, Marion; and Scott (Tammy) Rogers, Embarrass; daughter-in-law, Vicki Rogers, Shawano; grandchildren: Peter (Jennifer) Messerschmidt, Allison (Aaron) Thiel, Lindsay (Adam) Thiel, Paul (Jill) Rogers, Angela Rogers, and Jennifer Rogers; great-grandchildren: Hunter and Tanner Messerschmidt; Jadeyn, Hannah, Joel, and Levi Thiel; Emma and Charlotte Thiel; Jacob, Jenna, and Jessica Rogers; and Megan and Ashley Grosskreutz; great-great-grandson, Rowan Crow. Lillian was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Freeman D. Rogers; a son, Doug Rogers; a sister, Thelma Sockman; and brothers: Rodney, Glen, Paul, and Gilbert Kirby.
Funeral services will be held 11 a.m, Thursday, May 5, 2022 at the United Methodist Church, Clintonville with the Rev. Diana Ziegler officiating. Military honors will be conducted at the church by VFW Post #664, American Legion Post #63, American Legion Auxiliary Unit #63, and VFW Auxiliary Unit #664, all of Clintonville. Interment will follow at Graceland Cemetery, Clintonville. Visitation will take place at the church on Thursday from 10 a.m. until the time of service. The Eberhardt-Stevenson Funeral Home & Crematory, Clintonville is assisting the Rogers family. An online guestbook is available at eberhardtstevenson.com.