Leola (Dellomo) Rogers, 89, formerly of Illiopolis, passed away on December 31, 2017, at Lewis Memorial Christian Village (LMCV), Springfield, Illinois, which she had called home for the past eight years.

Leola was born October 10, 1928, in Frontenac, Kansas, the daughter of Leo and Lena Dellomo.  She married Jesse (Sam) Rogers Jr. on November 20, 1949, at the Illiopolis Christian Church.  They celebrated 57 years of marriage before Jesse passed away in 2006.

Leola was a 1946 graduate of Riverton Community High School and a 1947 graduate of the Modernistic School of Beauty Culture.  She was a cook at the Illiopolis Schools for many years and later became the Deli Manager at Johnson’s Market in Illiopolis.  In addition, she was co-owner/operator of Rogers Antiques for 30 years and a Democrat Election Judge for 40 years.   Mrs. Rogers was a member of the Illiopolis Chapter of the American Legion Auxiliary.

Leola enjoyed spending time with her family, playing dice games and bingo, making trips to the “boat” and watching sports on TV, especially the St. Louis Cardinals and Illini basketball.  She was well known for being one of the best cooks in Illiopolis and enjoyed “Cook Club” when she became a resident at LMCV.

She is survived by two sons, Jesse L. (Sharon) Rogers of Springfield and Sam L. Rogers of Illiopolis; four daughters, Rita (Jerry) Calbow of Springfield, Micki (Mike) Hildebrandt of Illiopolis, Vickie (Terry) Upp of Plano, TX and Tina (Joe) Miller of Bloomington; 16 grandchildren, three step grandchildren, 39 great-grandchildren, 1 great-great grandchild and numerous nieces & nephews.  She is also survived by one sister, Linda Lynn, of Riverton.  In addition to her husband, Leola was preceded in death by her parents, daughter Beverly, three brothers Louis, Larry and Lenny Dellomo and sisters Louise Mann and Lillian Poggenpohl.

The family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the staff, especially Nurse Tammy Felton (who was like another daughter), at LMCV for the love & care they gave Leola while she was a resident and at the time of her passing.

Her family will greet friends from 4:00-6:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 4, at Fullenwider Park Funeral Home in Illiopolis and again from 9:00 a.m. till time of services on Friday, January 5.  Services will be at 9:30 a.m. at the funeral home with Chaplain Linda Blakeman officiating. Burial will follow at Camp Butler National Cemetery. 

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