Roger L. Dereske
March 25, 1944 – June 15, 2024
No public services are being held. Roger will be laid to rest at Ft. Custer National Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the charity of one’s choice, in c/o the funeral home.
Obituary
Age 80, passed away late Saturday afternoon, June 15, 2024. Roger was born in Ludington, MI, on March 25, 1944, the son of Frank and Retha (Cogle) Dereske. He attended Mason County Eastern High School, Class of 1962. On October 4, 1969, he married Mary Eaton who survives him. Roger proudly served his nation for eight years in the United States Navy, touring over 30 countries and crossing the equator. He was a member of the Old Antarctic Explorers Association. He retired after 26 years at Great Lakes Castings in Ludington. After retirement he worked at the Ludington Daily News and Ace Hardware. Roger was an avid NASCAR and Green Bay Packers fan. He was a race car driver, gunsmith and state and national archery champ, Besides his wife, Roger is survived by his daughter, Karin (Ken) Rourke of Kalamazoo; his son, Randy (Jennifer Rydstrom) Dereske of Ludington; sister, Pat Myers of Fountain, MI; nephew, Darrell Myers; sister-in-law, Lois Padula; brothers-in-law, Robert Eaton and Richard Eaton; several other niece, nephews and cousins; and countless friends. Roger was preceded in death by his parents; and stepfather, Joseph Wichtoski; a niece, Jill Myers Bates.
Worked with Rog for a good number of years at GLCC pattern shop. He was a good jokester and had a phrase for just about anything happening. A true Packer fan. A good friend. See ya Rog.
Roger was a good friend and shipmate. We shared many liberty hours and working hours together. He was always good for a laugh or to help you out. If my hearing was better I could entertain the Thursday chat group with many sea stories of Ski and me . He will be missed by me and others . Mary you have my condolence’s along with his other family members. Farewell my friend . Davy.
Sympathy to the family of Roger. He was a proud MCE graduate.
Sympathy to the family of Roger. He was a proud MCE graduate.
Sympathy to the family of Roger. He was a proud MCE graduate.
Sorry to hear about Roger’s passing. Always a friendly guy and classmate. Sending thoughts and prayers to his family.
Fair winds and following seas sailor. “Boatswain… Standby to pipe the side… Shipmate’s going Ashore…” Thank you Roger for your service to this nation. U.S. Navy, 8 years of service.
I remember Roger at the Cadillac gun & knife shows….The man had an amazing mind and he was always a pleasure to sit and converse with….He often talked about being a Packers fan, which is something besides an interest in guns that we had in common…. We fell out of contact years ago and I tried to locate him in Ludington, but was unable to do so….I will always cherish the memories of Roger and my thoughts go out to his friends and family….