By Jim Meridith
Posted: Updated:
12 Comments
    • Service

      Masonic rites will begin at 10:00 am Friday, December 18, 2020 at Cisne Cemetery with graveside service to follow. Military honors are provided by Anthony Wayne Post 176 American Legion and Wayne Memorial Post 4535 VFW

    • Full Obituary

      RUSSEL L. RODGERS, 87, of Cisne, Illinois passed away Wednesday, December 9, 2020 at Fairfield Memorial Hospital.

      Russel was born July 8, 1933 to Archie and Iva L. (Richards) Rodgers.  He married Betty Conard October 27, 1957 at Mt. Vernon, Illinois and she survives.

      Russel was a self-employed truck driver for Rodgers Truck Service.  He was a Veteran of the Army. Russel was a member of Fairfield American Legion VFW, Anthony Doherty Masonic Lodge of Cisne, Fairfield Shriners, Flora Moose Lodge and Coon Creek Ridge Riders Club.  He enjoyed mushroom hunting and helped raise longhorn cattle with his son.

      Russel is survived by his wife Betty Rodgers of Cisne, Illinois; one son Rick Rodgers of Cisne, Illinois; three brothers Gene (Sue) Rodgers of Seymour, Illinois, Carrol Rodgers, and Delbert (Becky) Rodgers both of Cisne, Illinois; three grandchildren Eliott (Corinne) Rodgers and Rusty Rodgers both of Cisne, Illinois and Kayla Mackey of Indiana; two great grandchildren Eli Rodgers and Logan Mackey.

      Preceding him in death were his parents, son J. D. Rodgers, two sisters Mildred Willison and Patsy Davis, and two brothers Robert Rodgers and Roy Rodgers.

      Masonic rites will begin at 10:00 am Friday, December 18, 2020 at Cisne Cemetery with graveside service to follow. Military honors are provided by Anthony Wayne Post 176 American Legion and Wayne Memorial Post 4535 VFW.

      Memorials may be given to family for expenses and will be accepted at the graveside.  Memorials can also be mailed to Hosselton-Meridith Funeral home at P.O. Box 418 Cisne, Il 62823

      Please follow the CDC guidelines for social distancing and wearing masks.

      Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared with the family at www.meridithfuneralhome.com.

      Hosselton-Meridith Funeral Home, Cisne, Illinois

    Condolences are reviewed and published within 24 hours.

    12 Condolences
     
    1. Larry Frost / December 10, 2020 at 8:00 pm

      Rest in peace, Big R

    2. MIKE HILLIARD / December 11, 2020 at 12:08 pm

      Rest easy Big R

    3. Tammy Hilderbrand / December 11, 2020 at 1:07 pm

      Prayers to the family he was our neighbor for years! Rest in peace Big R.

    4. marsha stennett / December 11, 2020 at 1:56 pm

      rest in peace, Big R., he was a good man and a heck of a truck driver. the late bimbo stennett and marsha

    5. Gayla Glowacki / December 11, 2020 at 2:28 pm

      Rest in Peace Big R. I loved you like a second Dad. Your sense of Humor and Jokes will be greatly missed. Also not seeing you out in your Shop playing Cards on your Computer. You were a Great man and I loved you dearly! One Greatest Memory I have of you was when we went Mushroom hunting together along with my Daughter Makayla. Your were showing us your backing skills in your Truck and backed right into a tree. You just laughed and said its ok. Fly High Big R and I will visit you on your Bench at the graveyard when I go there to visit JD.

    6. Lori Schmidt / December 12, 2020 at 7:48 am

      Rest in peace, Uncle Russel. I will always remember your big, bear hugs and your infectious laugh. I have so many fond childhood memories of times spent with you and Aunt Betty when we visited you. I know the you are enjoying your reunion with JD. Love you!

    7. Todd Davis / December 12, 2020 at 8:51 am

      Prayers to the family. I have can always remember Russel being in my life. Either at the filling station or up washing his truck. He was so funny and kind to be around. I took one of my funnest trips ever with Russel. Had to deliver some products to Old Mexico for Airtex. Russel was at the station getting a oil change and I asked if he wanted to go with me. He shocked me by saying heck yes when do we leave! I was excited to get a real truck driver to make the run with me. About Texarkana I pulled over tired and Russel woke up from a long nap. I said hey trucker you wanna take the wheel a while? He looked at me funny and said” hey I’m on vacation and I don’t drive then”! Stunned I just pulled over and caught some sleep. Over the years he and I would laugh till we cried over that trip. I will never forget Russel Rodgers!

    8. Al Reid / December 12, 2020 at 9:25 am

      We had a lot of good times together, either doing a Shrine activity, or doing something for the Ridge Riders.
      My sincere condolences to Betty and Rick.
      Rest In Peace, brother 🙏🏻

      Al Reid
      Prattville, AL

    9. Stan & Kathy Obrecht / December 12, 2020 at 8:35 pm

      Sorry for your loss prayers for the family

    10. Stan, Janice & Jayden Brown / December 14, 2020 at 7:03 am

      Sorry to hear about Russell, he will be deeply missed. Our Thoughts & Prayers are with Betty & Rick. Also the rest of the family.

    11. Carl and Dana Zimmerman / December 14, 2020 at 2:48 pm

      Very sad to hear of the passing of Russell “BIG R”. really enjoyed talking to him. Always brought a smile to our faces. Our heart’s go out to the family.

    12. Cliff Hilliard / December 20, 2020 at 11:42 am

      Prayers for a good man and his family. I regret that I could not make it to the Masonic services,
      for Russell.

      Cliff Hilliard
      Makanda, Il
      Member of Makanda Masonic Lodge #434

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