Rodgers

Robert John "Buck" Rodgers, 82, of Renfrew died Thursday at the Butler Veterans Administration Medical Center after a brief illness.

Born Dec. 16, 1923, in Greenville, he was a son of Albert and Susan Rodgers. He attended grade school at St. Paul in Butler. His high school days were interrupted by his entry into the U.S. Army during World War II. He received his high school diploma in 2001 in a special ceremony called "Operation Recognition of World War II Veterans.

Mr. Rodgers was a member of the 28th Division, 112th Infantry regiment and served in the infantry in some of the bloodiest battles in Western Europe, including the landings at Normandy, the Battle of Heurtgen Forest, the Battle of the Bulge and the Rhineland Invasion.

He was awarded several medals for exceptional service including the Combat Infantry Badge, the Purple Heart, the Bronze Star European-African-Middle Eastern campaign with five bronze Campaign Stars, and the expert Rifleman Badge. He was presented with a Presidential Unit Citation by Gov. Tom Ridge in 2000.

He was named Butler County Veteran of the Year in 1997 for his outstanding contributions to the community, veteran's welfare programs and his exceptional military career. He was also recognized as the Disabled Veteran of Pennsylvania in 1998.

"Buck" was a member of the American Legion Post 778 in Lyndora, Veterans of the Battle of the Bulge, and was an associate member of the Vietnam Veterans of America. He also was a member of Camp Gordon Johnston's Association, Amphibian Training site during World War II, the 40 and 8 group, and was a life member of V.F.W. Post 249 in Butler, Military Order of the Purple Heart, DAV Chapter 64 in Butler, and the Penn Township Veterans Club. He served on the committee for the Butler County World War II Memorial.

After his military service, he worked for Armco Steel in Butler for 41 years. He worked in the tractor repair shop and retired in 1987.

He was a member of St. Paul Roman Catholic Church in Butler.

His wife, Betty Jean Jenkins Rodgers, whom he married Aug. 20, 1947, preceded him in death April 29, 2000.

He is survived by two sons, Wilbert Nulph and his wife, Veronica, of Templeton, and David Rodgers of Butler; four daughters, Mrs. Dennis (Nancy) Reilly of Butler, Mrs. Randy (Kathryn) Hamilton of West Des Moines, Iowa, Mrs. Thomas (Cherilayne "Cookie") Miller of Herman, and Gloria Rodgers of Renfrew. Also surviving are two brothers, Richard Rodgers and his wife, Eleanor, of Butler, Albert Rodgers and his wife, Jackie, of Carmel, Ind.; four sisters, Mrs. Robert (Rita) Luchkiw of Butler, Mrs. William (Patricia) Luchkiw of West Reading, Mrs. Edward (Marilyn) Kerr of Mercer, and Mrs. Richard (Susan) Meeker of Warrenton, Va.

Also surviving are 13 grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by a son, Robert "Chester" Rodgers, and three brothers, Harold, Vincent and Bernard Rodgers.

<B>RODGERS</B> — Friends of Robert John "Buck" Rodgers, who died Thursday, March 9, 2006, will be received at the <B>Geibel Funeral Home</B>, 201 E. Cunningham St. from 7 to 9 p.m. Saturday and from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Monday at St. Paul Roman Catholic Church in Butler. Burial will follow at the Calvary Cemetery.Members of the American Legion Post 778 will meet at 7 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home to conduct Memorial Services.St. Paul's Guild and Christian Mothers will meet at 9:35 a.m. Monday at the church to recite the Rosary.Graveside Military Honors will be accorded by the American Legion Post 778 and V.F.W. Post 249.Memorial donations may be made to the Butler County World War II Memorial, c/o the War Memorial Fund, c/o American Legion Post 117, Butler, PA 16001.