Ishpeming - Roger W. Dodge, age 81, of 1750 Cindy St. Ishpeming, passed away on Saturday, April 10, 2021 at UP Health System Marquette with his loving wife and family by his side.

Roger was born in Rhinelander, Wisconsin on June 28, 1939, son of the late Dorothy (Vanderhayden) and Kenneth Dodge. Roger grew up in Ishpeming and attended Ishpeming schools. He served in the Michigan National Guard. Roger worked for the Jones and Laughlin Co. at the Tracy Mine prior to its closure.  He then worked for The Cleveland Cliffs Iron Co. as a plant repairman at the Empire Mine for 30 years retiring in 2001. Roger always said that retirement was the best job he ever had!

Roger loved tinkering in his garage, building and fixing almost anything. He always had a project going on and really enjoyed making a variety of crafts. Roger had a love for tools, possessing almost every tool imaginable.  He was very generous in loaning and giving tools away – only to buy more!  Roger's favorite store was Fleet Farm in Green Bay and Harbor Freight. He enjoyed camping, boating, snowmobiling, 4-wheeling along with being an avid Green Bay Packer fan.  He also loved to travel.

Roger is survived by his wife Rita Kay Dodge of Ishpeming, whom he just celebrated his 11 ^th anniversary with on April 9; two sons - Steven (Pamela) Dodge of Ishpeming and David (Kathy) Dodge of Negaunee; daughter Christine (Thomas Jr.) Oates of Ishpeming; 4 step-sons – Frank (Mary) Stowell of Lake City, James (Heather) Stowell of Manton, Jody (Janet) Stowell of Ramona, CA and Chad (Jessie) Stowell of Ash Flat, AR; a brother Clyde (Dorothy) Dodge of Ishpeming; 5 grandchildren - Nathan, Joshua and Jacob Dodge, Nicole and Natalie Oates; 2 great grandchildren; numerous step-grandchildren, step great grandchildren, nieces and nephews along with his beloved dog Murphy.

Roger was preceded in death by his parents along with his first wife Marjorie E. (Parkkonen) Dodge in 2003.

The family will greet relatives and friends from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM on Thursday, April 15, 2021 at the Bjork & Zhulkie Funeral Home in Ishpeming.  Due to the current COVID-19 pandemic all those attending must adhere to the wearing of a mask, and the current social distancing standards.  A private graveside interment will take place at Northland Chapel Gardens.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to UPAWS, PO Box 968, Marquette, MI 49855 or upaws.org in Roger's memory.

Roger's obituary may also be viewed at bjorkandzhulkie.com where relatives and friends may leave a note of remembrance.