Rodgers

Thomas E. “Tom” Rodgers, 83, of Bruin, formerly of Chicora, passed away Monday afternoon, Dec. 2, 2024, at Parker Personal Care.

Thomas was born in Chicora on Aug. 26, 1941. He was the son of the late Victor and Allene Hilliard Rodgers.

He was a member of the last graduating class, 1959, of Chicora High School. Tom attended Parker Presbyterian Church.

Tom had a strong work ethic and was employed as a crane operator and on the No. 2 cut-up line for 43 years at Armco in Butler and was a longtime union representative. Later, Tom was instrumental in spearheading a federal court case, which ultimately won the restoration of insurance benefits for retirees and forming the Butler Zanesville VEBA, of which Tom was the chairman until spring 2024.

Tom was a train enthusiast, most especially the G scale trains, and enjoyed riding various trains throughout the country. In his earlier years, he was a member of the Chicora Borough Council, the certified water plant operator for the Chicora Water Company, and was a life member of the Chicora Volunteer Fire Department and served the department as fire chief for many years. Tom had been a member of the Karns City Quarterback Club and worked with Zambelli Fireworks, launching fireworks for Gremlin touchdowns at their home field. He enjoyed keeping his home in pristine condition. Tom was a mason and a member of the Parker Allegheny Canby Lodge 521.

Surviving are his wife, Sandra F. Walker Rodgers, whom he married at Parker Presbyterian Church on Sept. 30, 1989. Also surviving are four children, David V. Rodgers and his wife, Lynn, of Sahuarita, Ariz., Lori D. Rodgers of Montrose, Colo., Timothy J. Rodgers of Chicora and L. Rene Cook of Denver, Colo.; four stepchildren, Patrick Weckerly of Mentor on the Lake, Ohio, Gregory Weckerly and his wife, Lisa, of Bruin, Teresa MacKrell and her husband, Kent, of Chicora, and Melinda Farrington and her husband, James, of Foxburg; three grandchildren, Katie Gueits and her husband, Ruben, of Falling Waters, W.Va., Dakota Cook of Denver, Colo., and Thomas V. Rodgers of Butler; his stepgrandchildren, Aaron Weckerly and his wife, Hanna, of Zelienople, Nathan Weckerly of Bruin, Jacob Weckerly of Murfreesboro, Tenn., Abigail MacKell of Chicora, and Hannah and Aletha Farrington of Foxburg; two great-grandchildren, Zoey Rodgers of West Sunbury and Emerson Weckerly of Zelienople; three sisters, Carole Francis of Chicora, Patricia Maust of Butler and Eleanor “Jo” Buzard of Waterford; a brother and sister-in-law, Fred and Carolyn Rodgers, of Chicora; a sister-in-law, Sandra Rodgers of Cranberry Township; a brother-in-law, Ray Moore of Chicora; his children’s mother, Judy Hilliard Black of Denver, Colo.; as well as a number of nieces, nephews and cousins.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, William “Bill” Rodgers; a daughter-in-law, Linda (Armistead) Rodgers; and two brothers-in-law, Dr. Paul Maust and Jim Buzard.

A special thanks to AseraCare nurses, Brittany and Kelly, and the staff of Parker Personal Care Home.

RODGERS — Friends of Thomas E. “Tom” Rodgers, who died Monday, Dec. 2, 2024, will be received from 1 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at HILE FUNERAL HOME OF CHICORA, 339 Chicora Fenelton Road, Chicora. A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday at the funeral home with the Rev. Charles Cline, pastor of Parker United Presbyterian Church, officiating.

Interment will be in Bear Creek Cemetery, Petrolia.

Memorial contributions may be made to your local fire department.

Condolences may be sent by visiting www.hilefh.com.

Please sign the guest book at www.butlereagle.com.