Brian Joseph Rodgers
July 31st, 1955 - May 16th, 2024
Share Book of Memories with a Friend
Please enter the name and email details so that we can send your friend a link to the online tribute. No names or addresses will be collected by using this service.
Brian's Obituary
Brian J. Rodgers
July 31, 1955 - May 16, 2024
Brian Joseph Rodgers passed away on May 16th with his loving family by his side. He was born in Dayton, Ohio, the first-born son of Joseph Miller and Dorothy Olson Rodgers. Brian had an idyllic Midwestern childhood growing up sailing, skiing, and enjoying family vacations every summer in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. As a teenager, he began to develop an interest and impressive knowledge of cars when he purchased his first one—a Teal Blue 1968 Chevy Camaro.
After graduating from Fairmont West High School in 1973, he attended two years of college before moving to South Bend, Indiana, where he started work at Gates Chevrolet. It was at Gates that he also met the love of his life and future wife, Joyce Storm, a co-worker.
Brian and Joyce married in 1979 and raised their two children, Aaron and Lindsey, in South Bend and later Osceola. In 2012 they were able to fulfill a lifelong dream of living on water when they moved to Lake Tippecanoe. Brian loved nothing more than spending time on the lake with his family and friends, either boating or simply enjoying the beautiful view.
A very hard and dedicated employee, he had a 40-plus year career in the automotive industry which, in addition to Gates, included working as a claims adjuster for various insurance companies. He returned to Gates in 2000 and retired from there in 2020.
Brian is survived by his wife Joyce; son Aaron (Sarah) of Indianapolis, Indiana; daughter Lindsey Hamilton (Michael) of Columbus, Ohio; brother David (Kim) of Arroyo Grande, California; and many nieces and nephews. Brian will be greatly missed by all his family and the many friends and acquaintances he made throughout his life. He was a selfless man who was always willing to lend a helping hand and one who left a positive mark on everyone who knew him.
The family will celebrate his life on Sunday, June 2nd with a visitation from 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM and a memorial service at 4:00 PM at Palmer Funeral Home: Welsheimer Chapel-North 17033 Cleveland Road, South Bend, IN, 46635. Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Starks & Menchinger Chapel. Those wishing to share a memory of Brian online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Watershed Foundation. Contributions will directly support the protection and improvement of water quality in the lakes and streams of the upper Tippecanoe River watershed.
July 31, 1955 - May 16, 2024
Brian Joseph Rodgers passed away on May 16th with his loving family by his side. He was born in Dayton, Ohio, the first-born son of Joseph Miller and Dorothy Olson Rodgers. Brian had an idyllic Midwestern childhood growing up sailing, skiing, and enjoying family vacations every summer in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. As a teenager, he began to develop an interest and impressive knowledge of cars when he purchased his first one—a Teal Blue 1968 Chevy Camaro.
After graduating from Fairmont West High School in 1973, he attended two years of college before moving to South Bend, Indiana, where he started work at Gates Chevrolet. It was at Gates that he also met the love of his life and future wife, Joyce Storm, a co-worker.
Brian and Joyce married in 1979 and raised their two children, Aaron and Lindsey, in South Bend and later Osceola. In 2012 they were able to fulfill a lifelong dream of living on water when they moved to Lake Tippecanoe. Brian loved nothing more than spending time on the lake with his family and friends, either boating or simply enjoying the beautiful view.
A very hard and dedicated employee, he had a 40-plus year career in the automotive industry which, in addition to Gates, included working as a claims adjuster for various insurance companies. He returned to Gates in 2000 and retired from there in 2020.
Brian is survived by his wife Joyce; son Aaron (Sarah) of Indianapolis, Indiana; daughter Lindsey Hamilton (Michael) of Columbus, Ohio; brother David (Kim) of Arroyo Grande, California; and many nieces and nephews. Brian will be greatly missed by all his family and the many friends and acquaintances he made throughout his life. He was a selfless man who was always willing to lend a helping hand and one who left a positive mark on everyone who knew him.
The family will celebrate his life on Sunday, June 2nd with a visitation from 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM and a memorial service at 4:00 PM at Palmer Funeral Home: Welsheimer Chapel-North 17033 Cleveland Road, South Bend, IN, 46635. Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Starks & Menchinger Chapel. Those wishing to share a memory of Brian online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Watershed Foundation. Contributions will directly support the protection and improvement of water quality in the lakes and streams of the upper Tippecanoe River watershed.
Memorial Contributions
Service Details
View the current service details below. Sign up for email or text updates to receive notifications of any changes to service schedules or important information.