Franklin Rogers

Celebration of Life Memorial Services for Franklin Rogers, 69, of Lenox who passed away June 30, 2015 in Des Moines will be held Monday, July 6, 2015, at 11:00 AM at the Lenox United Methodist Church. Visitation with the family greeting friends will begin at 9:30 at the church until service time. Private family interment of ashes will be held at a later date. Memorials may be given in Franklin's name. Memories may be shared at www.ritchiefuneralhome.com. Arrangements were entrusted to the Ritchie Funeral Home of Lenox.

Franklin Dee Rogers was born September 21, 1945, at Community Hospital in Creston, IA to Gerald Harley and Genevieve Francis (Riley) Rogers, the third of three children. He attended Mercer No. 5 through the 8th grade, completing high school at Lenox, and graduating with the class of 1963. After completing barber school, he barbered in Davenport until being drafted. He enlisted in the United States Navy and served in Spain. While there he spent a lot of down time touring Europe and riding broncos in rodeos. After the Navy he returned to Lenox to barber and later worked for the National Farmers Organization. When his dad was transferred to the Chariton and Norwood United Methodist Church he decided to move with them. Here he met Carol Chandler in the Norwood Church and they were married April 20, 1973. There he welded at Johnson Machine Works. In 1975, they moved to Lenox to farm with his brother Ron. He also attended the building trade’s school at SWCC and supplemented the farm income with carpentry. During this time 3 children were born to the couple. They were DeeAnn Coreen, Amber Denae and Jody Raydean.

In 1979, a tornado destroyed many of the farm buildings. In 1982, in the midst of the farm crisis they moved to Lenox, stopped farming, and began work as a policeman for 5 years. He took part in the Mounted Posse that took part in rodeos and parades in the area. He attended the Police Academy, later Firearms Instructors Training, and EMT training. He went to work at the Taylor County Sheriff’s Dept. for 24 years and was an EMT for 12 years in Lenox. He and Carol attended the United Methodist School for Lay Ministry and Frank realized God was leading him to follow in his father’s footsteps as a pastor. He began preaching at Mercer Center United Methodist Church and was later appointed to the Mercer Center-Maple Grove churches as their lay pastor. He had just completed schooling to be a local pastor. On June 30, 2015 he died at Iowa Methodist Hospital in Des Moines from complications of surgery.

Franklin spent a lot of time with the people of Lenox and Taylor County. He taught Hunter Safety, trained many new and old police officers and several conceal carry handgun classes at the range. He owned Rogers Gun Shop to help supplement his love of hunting, fishing, and trap shooting.

He enjoyed going to all of his children and then grandchildren’s events, especially music and sporting events. He was able to enjoy one last cookout with his family for Father’s Day.

Survivors include his wife Carol, children, DeeAnn (Mick) Dougherty, Amber Whipple, and Jody Rogers, grandchildren Trey, Devin, Riley Whipple, Elijah, Trinity, Faith, Micah, Jacob, Isabelle Dougherty, brother Ron (Janice) Rogers, sister Marilyn (Sam) Kielty, mother-in-law Lucille Chandler, brother-in-laws Larry (Myra) Chandler, Gary (Sherri) Chandler, and many nieces and nephews.

Preceding Franklin in death are his parents and father-in-law Albert Chandler.