David Lee Rogers

David Lee Rogers, age 76, passed away peacefully on October 8, 2022 at Mercy Hospital in Springfield, Mo., from complications of Parkinson’s Disease. His family was by his side with the Chaplain praying over him. David was born on April 16, 1946, in Denver, Colo.

David grew up in Stockton, Kansas where he made life-long friends and memories, graduating from Stockton High School Class of ‘64. He was proud of his athletic abilities to set school track records, play baseball and football.  Dave furthered his education at Kansas University, Fort Hays State, and graduated from Washburn University with a degree in Economics. He was also a Certified Baseball Coach.

On April 2, 1965, he met Merena Hollingshead at a teen dance in Phillipsburg. After a whirlwind courtship, their love was sealed in marriage on September 24, 1965, at St. Thomas Catholic Church in Stockton. They recently observed their 57th wedding anniversary. One of Dave’s favorite sayings was “the best decision two teenagers ever made." Dave and Merena were blessed with two beautiful baby girls who grew to be beautiful ladies. Through the years they lived in Stockton, Lawrence and Topeka, Kansas; Omaha, Nebraska; and Nixa, Missouri.

Dave never met a stranger and loved telling stories of growing up in a small town, racing homing pigeons, and playing/coaching baseball. Most of all, Dave treasured spending time with his family.

David was preceded in death by his parents Linus and Ellen Rogers; parents-in-law Roy and Luella Hollingshead; and brothers-in-law Jerry Sterling and Raymond Schick.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife of the home; daughters Shari (Andrew) Cole of Bentonville, Ark., and Shani Burkhart of Springfield, Mo.; sisters Patti Sterling of Stockton and Loie (Jim) Lewin of Salina; and brother Jim (Lorna) Rogers of Stockton; sisters-in-law Letha (Stanley) Glaum of Manhattan, Kan., and Edith Schick of Logan, Kan.; step-father DeVane Cunningham of Stockton; granddaughter Meghan (Ethan) Sims of Altamonte Springs, Fla.; grandsons Nick (Andrea) Rogers of Bentonville, Ark.; Shane Burkhart of Austin, Texas; Jason (Lauren) Burkhart of Joplin, Mo.; Chris (Lisa) Burkhart of Springfield, Mo.; great-grandchildren Cora, Anna, Maya, Ben, Eli, Alex, Audrey, Nolan, and Tate; plus a host of cousins, nieces, and nephews.

A Graveside Service will be held on Monday, October 17, 2022 at 12:00 p.m. at the Fairview Cemetery in Phillipsburg, Kansas. Visitation will be on Sunday, October 16, from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. at Plumer-Overlease Funeral Home in Stockton, Kansas. Immediately following the burial, family and friends are invited for food and fellowship at El A De Oros Mexican Restaurant in Phillipsburg.

In the spirit of giving, in lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to a charity of the donor’s choice or to St. Jude Children’s Hospital, who provided healing care to great-grandson Ben when he was five years old.

Memorials may be sent in care of Plumer-Overlease Funeral Home, 723 North First, Stockton, Kansas 67669. Online condolences can be left for the family at www.plumeroverlease.com.