Orvan D. Rogers

Orvan D. Rogers, 89, of Port Charlotte, FL died March 20, 2006. He was born June 30, 1916 to Oscar and Margaret Rogers, and lived in Peoria for 76 years before moving to Florida. He attended Lincoln Grade School and was in the 1935 graduating class of Manual High School. Orvan married Evelyn B. Hopper on April 15, 1937. He worked in the dispatch room of the Journal Transcript for 10 years, then in 1943 he was appointed Fire Chief of the Civilian Defense Corp. Orvan served his country in Okinawa and the Philippine Islands as a Staff Sgt. with the US Army. At the signing of the Instrument of Surrender, he played a part in making copies of the Document for all parties involved. Following WWII, he joined Walter F. Bartel in a venture called Multi-Ad Services, Inc until 1968. In 1971 he was elected Mohammed Temple Recorder, retiring June 30, 1983. He also served the community as manager of the Shrine Auditorium; at that time, the Shrine Mosque was Peoria’s only available auditorium, so the Shriners shared the building so the community could have the culture needed. Orvan was a 50 year, life time member of Illinois Masonic Lodge 263, Valley of Peoria Scottish Rite Bodies and Mohammed Shrine Temple; a life time member of Mohammed Temple’s Legion of Honor, Emeritus Recorder Mohammed Temple, Oriental Band and Peoria Heights Chapter of Eastern Star. He served 17 years on the Mohammed Temple Divan. Orvan was president of the Great lakes Shrine Association Oriental Bands in 1958-59; he was a demited member of the Peoria Amvets, Peoria Post 2 Drum and Bugle Corps, Forty and Eight, Downtown Peoria Rotary Club, Peoria Toastmasters Club and Peoria Court Forty, Royal Order of Jesters. Orvan will be greatly missed by his wife, Evelyn Rogers; son Dean Rogers of Port Charlotte, FL; grandchildren, Angela of Port Charlotte, FL and Douglas of St. Cloud, FL. Three sons, his parents, one sister, and four brothers preceded him in death. A private memorial service will be held at a later date. To express condolences to the family, please sign the online guest book. Arrangements are by the Cremation Center of Larry Taylor Funeral and Cremation Services, Port Charlotte, FL.