Michael Charles Rogers

Michael Charles Rogers passed away peacefully on June 25, 2025, surrounded by the love of his family. He was 75. Mike was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, brother-in-law, uncle, cousin, and friend, leaving behind a lifetime of memories.

Born in Evansville, Indiana, to Charles William Rogers and Vada Marie Fuller Rogers, Mike grew up with a creative soul and a fiercely independent mind. He graduated from North High School in 1968, attended the University of Evansville and Herron School of Art, and later fulfilled a personal goal by earning his bachelor’s degree from Indiana University in 1995.

Mike met the love of his life, Doreen, at Herron School of Art, and they married on November 18, 1978. He was a proud and loving father to four children: Josh (Rosemary) and Angie (Robert) from a previous marriage, and together with Doreen, Addison and Lewis (Casey).

He found immense joy in his eight grandchildren – Minnie, Quentin, and Dylan; Ella, Lucas, and Abigail; and the youngest Rogers grandkids: Benny and newborn Theo, the sons of Lewis and Casey.

Mike also shared a deep bond with his late sister, Vicki Campbell (and her late husband, Kenny), and was a beloved uncle to their children - Jennifer, Christy, and Matt. He also held a special place in the extended family of his wife, Doreen, including her brother Martin (Donna) and their children, Meredith and Joe, and her sister, Gail (Mike).

Mike’s path was anything but ordinary. Before college, he spent a summer working on the railroad. In the 80s, he drove a taxi in Indianapolis - an experience that gave him no shortage of wild stories. Together with Doreen, they opened a pottery shop called Plaza Pottery, and he even built floats for Indy 500 parades.

He later returned to school to earn his CPA and worked as an accountant through the 90s and beyond. But no matter his job title, he was an artist at heart. It was in woodworking where his creativity and precision truly shined - designing and constructing beautiful, functional spaces with his own hands. His backyard deck and enclosed pool house became the heart of countless family gatherings, especially during his legendary Fourth of July parties.

He was never happier than when cooking for the people he loved. Whether preparing pulled pork with his own signature barbecue sauces, baking breads and pies, or delicious homemade soups – no recipe was too complicated for Mike to tackle. Thanksgiving dinners were equally grand, made from scratch with the same joy and care he brought to everything he did. He had no trouble accommodating everyone’s request or taste – from gluten-free to paleo, vegetarian to vegan - Mike delighted in making sure everyone was taken care of.

A lifelong liberal, Mike was a devoted reader of the Huffington Post, a loyal public radio listener, and a follower of politics with strong convictions and a great sense of humor. He loved to learn about Civil War history and made several trips to Gettysburg. He enjoyed British television shows from BritBox and PBS, classic comedy - particularly the wit of W.C. Fields and Woody Allen - and music that stirred the soul.

Jazz was his foundation, with favorites like Thelonious Monk, Miles Davis, Bill Evans, Charles Mingus, Ben Webster, Ella Fitzgerald, and Duke Ellington. He also appreciated crooners like Frank Sinatra and Bobby Short, the sophisticated stylings of Red Garland and Brad Mehldau, and even a soft spot for Gino Vannelli, Diana Ross & The Supremes, and of course Willie Nelson. In a final moment of connection, his family sang On the Road Again to him as he peacefully passed.

His eclectic taste and deep appreciation for rhythm and nuance helped shape the musical path of his sons, Addison and Lewis, who now perform together in the band Busman’s Holiday - a fact that brought him immense pride.

His home was filled with love, music, good food, and – always - dogs. He was preceded in death by his beloved Madeline and is survived by his loyal companion, Suki.

Perhaps nothing symbolized Mike’s love more than the gallery wall in his bedroom - covered in photos of family and friends. If your picture made the wall, you knew you were cherished. Whether through food, gifts, or heartfelt gestures, Mike was incredibly generous - generous with his time, his talents, and his love.

He leaves behind a legacy of family, creativity, honesty, razor-sharp humor, one hell of a backyard, and the snappiest hat collection this side of the Mississippi. He’ll be missed beyond measure.