Francis S. Rodgers, 83, of the Rattigan area of Chicora died at 8:30 p.m. Monday at his home following a short illness.

Born in Clearfield Township, Oct. 20, 1925, he was the son of the late Merle S. Rodgers and the late Mary G. Graham Rodgers.

He worked for 23 years at the Fretzmoon Pipe & Tube Co. in East Butler. He also worked in construction for several years, worked for the Ray Andre Tire Co. for several years and worked on oil wells in the Chicora area for several years.

He was a member of the St. Patrick Church, Sugarcreek Township, and the Altar-Rosary Society of the church until the church closed. He was the last surviving member of the St. Patrick Parish and church committees of the St. Patrick Church, Sugarcreek. He was a current member of the St. Patrick Roman Catholic Church, Bradys Bend.

He was a gold member of the Happy Hunters Sportsmen's Club of Fenelton, a member of the Roman Catholic Men's Club of Herman, the Young at Hearts of East Brady and the Chicora Senior Center.

He enjoyed hunting and fishing.

Surviving are his wife, Margaret L. Snyder Rodgers, who he married Oct. 20, 1945; two daughters, Sandy Broerman of Rattigan, near Chicora, and Kathy Boyer and her husband, Paul, of Greenville; two sons, Frank Rodgers and his wife, Nancy, of Butler and Bernard A. Rodgers of Coopersburg, Lehigh County.; 11 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; five sisters, Agnes Sheakley of Butler, Ann Hutchinson of the South Hills in Pittsburgh, Mary McIntyre of Butler, Loretta Hillwig and her husband, Dan, of Chicora and Merle Fugini and her husband, Frank, of Butler; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by two brothers, Regis and James Rodgers.

<B>RODGERS</B> — Friends of Francis S. Rodgers, who died Monday, Oct. 19, 2009, will be received from 7 to 9 p.m. today and from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Friday at the <B>STEIGHNER FUNERAL HOME</B>, 111 E. Slippery Rock and Main streets in Chicora. A Mass of Christian burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at the St. Patrick Roman Catholic Church, Bradys Bend, with the Rev. Ronald L. Cyktor Jr., pastor, officiating. Burial will be in the St. Patrick Cemetery, Sugarcreek Township, Armstrong County.In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the VNA Hospice, 154 Hindman Road, Butler, PA 16001.For more information, directions or to extend condolences to his family, go to www.steighnerfuneralhome.com.