Lillian "Kaye" Mae (Kirby) Rogers

Lillian “Kaye” M. Rogers, age 100 of Clintonville, passed away with family by her side, early Thursday morning April 28, 2022 at Aster Assisted Living, Clintonville.

Lillian “Kaye” Mae Rogers was born September 12, 1921 in Lebanon, PA, the daughter of the late Arthur & Kathryn (Heller) Kirby. She attended Swatara Township High School and later was a distinguished graduate with the class of 1940. She then attended the Good Samaritan School of Nursing in Lebanon, PA, graduating in 1943. It was in nursing school that her classmates referred to her as Miss K, (for Kirby), and later, just Kaye. The nickname stuck. Kaye served her country in the U.S. Army Nurse Corps as a First Lieutenant stateside for five years. She was stationed in Richmond, VA; and later was a surgical instrument nurse at McGuire General Hospital. Kaye then worked at Valley Forge General Hospital, Valley Forge, PA where she worked with soldiers with burn injuries and blindness. During the early years of her career, she was able to see the great effects of penicillin, a new treatment at that time. Kaye was united in marriage to Freeman D. Rogers on April 29, 1950 at Washington Memorial Chapel, Valley Forge, PA. Freeman, also a veteran and former burn patient himself, got to know Kaye during his recovery. As newlyweds, they moved to the Clintonville area where they have lived since. She was employed at the Clintonville Hospital for a time, later working at Greentree Health & Rehabilitation Center as both a staff nurse and the Director of Nurses. She was a member of the United Methodist Church, Clintonville, where she served as secretary for the various circles of the United Methodist Women. She also served on the communion team, helped to assemble the monthly newsletter, and was the Sunshine Chair, sending cards to church members in need. Kaye belonged to the TOPS Chapter #1003 for over 20 years. She later retired from nursing at age 65. Freeman preceded her in death on January 4, 2004, she later lived at Aster Assisted Living of Clintonville. Kaye was an avid reader of many books during her lifetime; she also was a card-aholic, sending all types of greeting cards to family and friends. Her family doesn’t quite know how she kept up with all the dates and addresses, but it came easily to Kaye. She will be remembered for her intelligence, work ethic, patriotism, and the love she showed to family and friends.    

She is survived by her:
Sons: Michael (Leah) Rogers, Hortonville; Brent (Sue) Rogers, Marion; & Scott (Tammy) Rogers, Embarrass
Daughter-in-law: Vicki Rogers, Shawano
Grandchildren: Peter (Jennifer) Messerschmidt, Allison (Aaron) Thiel, Lindsay (Adam) Thiel, Paul (Jill) Rogers, Angela Rogers, & Jennifer Rogers
Great-grandchildren: Hunter & Tanner Messerschmidt; Jadeyn, Hannah, Joel, & Levi Thiel; Emma & Charlotte Thiel; Jacob, Jenna, & Jessica Rogers; and Megan & Ashley Grosskreutz
Great-great-grandson: Rowan Crow

Lillian was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Freeman D. Rogers; a son, Doug Rogers; a sister, Thelma Sockman; & brothers, Rodney, Glen, Paul, & Gilbert Kirby.

Funeral services will be held 11AM Thursday, May 5, 2022 at the United Methodist Church, Clintonville, with the Rev. Diana Ziegler officiating. Military honors will be conducted at the church by VFW Post #664, American Legion Post #63, American Legion Auxiliary Unit #63, & VFW Auxiliary Unit #664, all of Clintonville. Interment will follow at Graceland Cemetery, Clintonville.

Visitation will take place at the church on Thursday from 10AM until the time of service.

The Rogers family would like to offer their heartfelt thanks to the staff of Aster Assisted Living, Clintonville for the dedicated care given to Kaye over the last five years.

The Eberhardt-Stevenson Funeral Home & Crematory, Clintonville is assisting the Rogers family.

An online guestbook is available at eberhardtstevenson.com.