Roger L. Dereske Obituary
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.
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.
