J. Irvin Rodgers

J. Irvin Rodgers passed away Thanksgiving evening, November 25, 2021, at 99 years of age. Irvin was born in Sullivan County, Tennessee on Sept 17, 1922 to Joseph Oscar and Nannie (Hall) Rodgers who preceded him in death. At 16 years of age, his parents loaded their family and possessions in their car and headed north to Michigan to seek a better life. Through determination, hard work and skilled mentors, Irvin built a successful dairy farm operation with his first wife Flora Baumgardner, who predeceased him in 1983 after 35 years of marriage. Irvin married Lois Lind in 1984 and enjoyed over 34 years of marriage before her passing in 2018. Irvin was a generous man who loved his family and adored his “little girls”. Irvin gave back to his community serving as Bowne Township Supervisor for 20 years. He also served on the Board of Directors of the State Bank of Caledonia and Kent County Board of Supervisors, as well as being active in F&A Masons and IO Odd Fellows. Irvin played a mean game of cribbage and euchre and was an avid golfer until his body said no more. Besides his parents and wives, Irvin was predeceased by all his siblings Ralph, Clarence, Avery, Nannie Kate, Helen and George and several brother and sister in laws; his mother in law, Fianna Lind; son in law W Charles Collins. Irvin leaves behind his daughters: Marcia Collins (B. Lynn Benedict) and Lavonda (Michael) Martin; granddaughters: Jennifer (Phil) Jousma, Amanda B Martin (Rachel Kahn), and Pamela Martin; great granddaughters: Lavonda Gale, Autumn, and Jolene Jousma; special family, Marjorie Jones and Bill Zaagsma; sisters in law, Evelyn Rodgers and Phyllis Lind; many nieces and nephews, cousins, and loved ones. Thank you to Carveth Village, University of Michigan Health-West, and Faith Hospice for their loving care. Visitation will be held Monday, November 29th from 2-4 and 6-8 at Matthysse Kuiper DeGraaf, 616 E. Main St. SE, Caledonia. Services will be held Tuesday, November 30th at 1pm at the funeral home with light refreshments and graveside services to follow. In lieu of flowers, please consider memorials to Carveth Village of Middleville or Faith Hospice.