Anthony Lee Rogers passed away at home on January 26th, 2023 due to complications of a traumatic brain injury.

He was born at home on December 1st, 1962 in Chicago, IL. His mom Louise gave birth to Tony on her kitchen table, with the help of his Aunt Rosie, who named him Tony Mac.

Tony's childhood was spent between Shelbyville, TN and Round Lake, IL. His adulthood years were spent in Spring Grove, IL.

In his teen years, he worked for the farmers down south bailing hay, working the tobacco fields, milking cows, riding bulls, training horses, as well as raising chickens, pigs and many other farm animals. Tony knew how to run a farm and he loved his animals. He was even known to have brought a cow named Elvira into the house! Once, he kissed a baby alligator and it kissed him back, giving him 10 stitches on his lip. Tony had a special love for his last two dogs, Little Girl and his support dog Zipper, for they meant the world to him.

If he loved you, he would always say the funniest things, like “I would take a bullet for ya!”

Tony admired anyone who served our country and he made it known to them young or old by always thanking them for their service. He always thanked Jeremy, Bob and Mr. C, and whenever he saw an American flag, he said “Thank you for serving our country!” He was so proud of his nephew Matthew, that we found a picture in Tony’s wallet of Matthew in his Army uniform.

Tony had a passion for cars from early on, and was an auto body man for most of his life. He did full restoration work on cars, trucks, airplanes, tractors, windmills… you name it; he could rebuild it. He was so talented that his work made it into custom paint books. Tony had so much talent there wasn’t anything he couldn’t fix or figure out. He had more knowledge than 10 men put together. He was always there to lend a helping hand to anyone in need.

When Tony was 11, his sister Pam, 9, and his brother Don, 8, all three of them were baptized by Preacher Sam on the same day. He was known to always wear a cross around his neck to show his love for God. And even though he didn’t like needles, he had one tattoo of a cross on his right arm.

He volunteered as a Boy Scout, with the 4-H club, for Relay for Life, TBI Events, Touch-A-Truck, tractor events, church events, and many others. He was in Tai-Ki-Do to teach us self defense, even practicing on us. He also loved to camp, and BCE was his favorite event.

Tony was a fan of the Chicago Bears and enjoyed watching football when he had a chance.

Music was a very important part of Tony's life from the beginning to the end of his life. Country music was one of his favorites, including artists such as Merle Haggard, George Jones, John Conlee, Vince Gill, and many more. One of his favorite songs for his mom was “ Mama’s Hungry Eyes” and her favorite song for Tony was “Be a Simple Man”. He always said “Truth be told, my family are my favorite musicians.” Tony’s dad’s band was the Southern Comforts., and he’d listen to them on a CD that Uncle Goob made for him. Then came his family’s Mark Rogers Band, for whom Tony made a green monster guitar. The Bubba Rogers Band and Jim, Jimmy, Don Rogers, Loveless Family Band. Tony said he was the ‘manager of the Rogers bands’. Now those are the best of the best to Tony. Now Get -R- Done, and See, ya Kid.

Tony was the loving father to Krystal (Jesse) Tihlarik, and the loving Papa to Maliyah. He will be greatly missed by his girlfriend, Louann Holmes. He is survived by his younger siblings, Pam Rogers-Manning, Don Rogers (Brenda), Bubba Rogers (Dawn), Jim Rogers (Christine), and Amanda Rogers, his nieces and nephews Mark Anthony Rogers (Dani, Mark Anthony Rogers Jr., Layla Lee) , Mandi Dorsett (Leighton, Lyle, Liam Lee), Michelle Lee Manning (Justin), Spc Matthew Rogers (Emma), Jimmy Rogers, Jr., Cody Rogers (Isabelle), Michaela Rogers ( Dustin, Atlas), Grace Adeyoola a/k/a Buttons, and many loving BCE’S, aunts, and uncles. Jeremy, MorgyC.

He will join his parents, V. Louise Rogers and Donald (DL) Rogers,, his Pa, Donald Loveless, his Grandmother, Pearl Loveless, and Carmen Gove in heaven.