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Roger

Roger B. Hilts

Roger was born on September 13, 1942 to Delos and Maxine (Earl) Hilts in Kalamazoo, MI.  He was called home by our Heavenly Father on November 8, 2019.

Roger was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his sister Sharon (Ed) Buys, his son Kelly Brooks, daughters Della Hilts, Shelly (Jim) Belka, and Christina Thompson.  Also surviving are his grandchildren Elizabeth Hoyt, Kim (Matt) Noble, Eric (Ashlea) Belka, Tamara Hoyt, Roger Hilts, Aubry (Jed) Noble, Brock Sabo, and Kierah Thompson; His great grandchildren Ethan Flickinger, Matthew Noble, Eric Belka, Lola Harig, Shelby Flickinger, Brennan Hoyt, Mia Hilts, Maybelle Noble, Dallas Belka, Jaylynn Gentry, Luci Noble, Baylee Hilts, Winston Noble, Lester Noble and many nieces and nephews.

In 1942 we were a country at war, you could buy a bottle of soda for a nickel and a gallon of gas for 15 cents and the Hilts lovingly welcomed Roger into this world at Bronson Hospital in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Roger grew up in times where there was much uncertainty in this country he attended school at both Martin Public and Allegan Public.

Roger worked hard throughout his life; he retired after 32 years from Peters Construction. Roger was a member of The International Brotherhood of Teamsters. Roger often didn’t know when to quit when it came to work around the house like stacking wood and other projects. He loved to run equipment and was stubborn when it came to letting other people do stuff for him.

In 1964 Roger married Myrtle Sparks (who survives) and although they divorced they continue to spend time as a family with their children and grandchildren.

Roger loved his family he loved his son and his three daughters and loved to spend time with them. During retirement you could find him riding around in his mule with his beloved sidekick Patches, or being driven around the property like Miss Daisy which he enjoyed. Roger enjoyed old country and gospel music and any music played by his grandson Eric, Nascar, football and Westerns on television.

Roger had an open door policy at his home, friends and family were aware that they could stop in at any time, unannounced for a visit. Most days you could find a group of people around his table laughing and visiting. Roger was quite a ladies man and loved to flirt. He was a collector of hugs, his goals was to get as many as he could thru his life.

Roger was loved and will be greatly missed by so many. He was a wonderful father, grandfather, brother, and Poppy to many.

Friends may visit with Roger’s family starting at 1:00 P.M., Wednesday, November 13, 2019 at the Winkel Funeral Home, Otsego, until the time of the funeral service at 2:00 P.M., with Pastor Mike Risner officiating.

Burial will follow at Hillside Cemetery in Plainwell.

Contributions in memory of Roger may be made to the

Alzheimer’s Association

or the

American Cancer Society.

Messages of condolence may be posted at

www.WinkelFuneralHome.com.

Offer Condolence for the family of Roger B. Hilts

Condolence Messages

Bonnie McDonald

November 10, 2019 at 1:31 pm

Sorry to hear of his passing sending prayers

Reply

The Holland Family

November 10, 2019 at 2:10 pm

Sharon and extended family, our sincere sympathy on the loss of your brother, father, grandpa, friend. Praying God will grant you peace and comfort.

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Jackie Reid

November 10, 2019 at 2:31 pm

So sorry to hear about the loss of such a great man.

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Beth McGuire

November 10, 2019 at 3:23 pm

Shelly, Jim and family I am so very sorry for your loss……….. hugs and prayers

Reply

Mike and Ronda Kelly

November 10, 2019 at 4:07 pm

Our thoughts and prayers are with ALL of YOU! SO SORRY for your loss.

Reply

Donna Reed Hall

November 10, 2019 at 4:14 pm

My heart goes out To All of Rogers Family!! I was young when Myrtle Married Roger but I spent many visits at Will and Bessies house with them!!Will and Bessies house was my second home, When I got old enough to babysit, My cousins and I would babysit for them. I have ALOT OF good memories !! May God Walk beside All of you through this Sad Journey!!! Fly With The Angels Roger!!!

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Kathy and Roger Holley

November 10, 2019 at 4:30 pm

So very sorry for the loss of Roger. He was a great guy. May he rest in peace. Godspeed friend.

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Steve and Mary Schuiteboer

November 10, 2019 at 4:49 pm

We are so very sorry for your loss. Prayers of sympathy and strength.

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Brenda & Joe Hatten

November 10, 2019 at 5:26 pm

Our heart goes out to all of you durning this very difficult time. He’s a man of many memories that will live on through all u. Rest easy Roger your gonna be missed

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Deb Straub

November 10, 2019 at 5:52 pm

So sorry Sharon and all your brothers family. Praying for you all

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Karen Goolsby

November 10, 2019 at 6:10 pm

So sorry for your loss, you’re all in my prayers.

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Sharon Gruis

November 10, 2019 at 10:41 pm

Shelley and family, I am so sorry for your loss. You are in my prayers.

Reply

Bill Sisson Jr

November 11, 2019 at 9:09 am

Sorry to hear about your father’s passing… Thinking of y’all…

Bill

Reply

Carol Brock

November 11, 2019 at 10:05 am

Sharon and Pam I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your brother. I just lost my brother to vascular dementia. Very sad thing. They are in a better place now & they are at peace. Carol and Roger Brock

Reply

Jill Anderson

November 11, 2019 at 11:12 am

So very sorry for your great loss. Cherish all those wonderful memories of him and know Roger is in the loving arms of his Heavenly Father. My s are with all of you.

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Jeff & Cheryl Taylor

November 11, 2019 at 3:23 pm

All Roger’s family & love ones will be in our prayers. Roger was a strong & kind family man we remember with love from school days in the 50s & 60s on. We bless his family with God’s peace. We will miss him.

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Debbie Walley

November 11, 2019 at 3:26 pm

So sorry for your loss. Love you all very much. Cherish all your memories and share them often and then he’ll always be with you. God bless you all.

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Joan R Walters

November 11, 2019 at 6:29 pm

Sharon and family

So sorry to hear of Roger’s passing. It brings back memories of the “teenagers” that lived in our country neighborhood all those years ago. RIP Roger.

Reply

Linette Russell

November 11, 2019 at 7:56 pm

My heart goes out to all of you. It really hurts to loose ur parents, grandparents, any family member. I pray God lightens ur pain , in Jesus name. AMEN

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Paul & Mary Baumgart

November 11, 2019 at 9:53 pm

Sharon, So sorry for the loss of your brother. Lifting your family in prayers of peace through this heartbreaking time.

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susan hatten

November 11, 2019 at 11:06 pm

Our heart goes out to all of you durning this very difficult time. He’s a man of many memories that will live on through all u. Rest easy Roger your gonna be missed

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Mary S. Harris

November 12, 2019 at 9:55 am

Sorry for your loss Sharon. Our prayers are with you and your family.

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Colleen (Kelsey) Ziemer

November 12, 2019 at 5:02 pm

So sorry to hear of Roger’s passing. Lots of memories from when we (Roger and Sharon and I ) were young. To many to mention. My prayers are with all of you. Love, Colleen

Reply

Don & Anita Rambadt

November 12, 2019 at 6:40 pm

Sharon and Family–May our God bless you all with comfort, care, and love during this trying time

Reply

Sandy and Dan Fleming

November 15, 2019 at 10:08 pm

Sharon and family, Dan and I are so sorry to hear the passing of your brother. We want to extend our deepest and most sincere sympathy to you and family. And praying for gods comfort during this difficult time.

Reply

Charlotte Taylor-Huitt

December 18, 2019 at 12:57 pm

So very sorry for your loss.

Roger was a very good friend of my father (Jud Taylor).

I grew up listening to all the construction stories and as I recall my Dad and Roger were giving me instructions while I was operating a Michigan loader when I was 14 ..lol

RIP Roger

Reply

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