John Loyal Rodgers, 86, of Pine Township, Mercer County, died at 3:55 p.m. Wednesday in the emergency room of the Grove City Medical Center after an illness.

Born Aug. 29, 1920, in Springfield Township, Mercer County, he was a son of Sherman D. and Mary Wilda Byers Rodgers.

He retired in 1983 as a machinist at Cooper Energy Services, Grove City, after 43 years.

During World War II, he served with the Army 28th Division, 112th Infantry, and participated in the European Campaign, the American Campaign and the Army of occupation in Germany. He attained the rank master sergeant and earned numerous medals and awards including the Bronze Star, the Good Conduct Medal, the Presidential Unit Citation and the Pennsylvania World War II Medal. He also earned a Combat Infantry Badge and Carbine Sharpshooter and Rifle Marksman distinctions.

Mr. Rodgers was a member of the East Main Presbyterian Church, Grove City. He also was a lifetime member of the John R. Huff American Legion Post 220 and the VFW Post 519, both of Grove City.

In his younger years, he enjoyed golfing, his gardening and woodworking. He also enjoyed talking nightly on the citizens band radio, where he was known as "Chilidog."

Surviving are four children, Marvin "Lynn" Rodgers of Jamestown, Rodney K. Rodgers of Harrisville, Elaine K. Lehman of Fort Wayne, Ind., and Vivian R. Hartle of Grove City; a brother, Dean Rodgers of Grove City; and a sister, Annetta Jordan, Mercer. He also leaves 10 grandchildren, six great-grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews

His wife, Ruth I. Stillwagon Rodgers, whom he married Aug. 2, 1939, at the Center Presbyterian Church, Grove City, died Nov. 8, 2002. He also was preceded in death by a son and a brother.

<B>Rodgers</B>— Friends of John Loyal Rodgers, who died Wednesday, May 2, 2007, will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. today at the <B>Cunningham Funeral Home</B>, 306 Bessemer Ave., Grove City. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at the funeral home with the Rev. James Boos, senior pastor of his church, officiating. Burial, with military honors, will follow at Crestview Memorial Park, Grove City.