Roger J. Scheidt

Early Wednesday evening of August 17, 2022, Roger J. Scheidt, 96, of Kalamazoo, was called to his next tour of duty. Devoted husband of 73 years, beloved father of 4 sons, and grandfather to 16 grandchildren and 25 great-grandchildren, Roger passed away peacefully at Friendship Village Rehabilitation Center.

Born April 17, 1926, in Lansing, Roger was the seventh of twelve children born to Bernard and Bernice (Spaulding) Scheidt. A 1944 graduate of Lake Odessa High School, he proudly served as Drum Major in the school band his junior and senior years. Immediately after his June graduation, Roger enlisted in the United States Navy. Following bootcamp at Recruit Naval Command, Great Lakes, Illinois, he was stationed in San Pedro, California before heading to sea and eight months at the Naval Base in Subic Bay, Philippines. Serving as a Seaman First Class Communications Specialist, Roger received Victory, American Area Campaign, and Asiatic Pacific Area Campaign Medals. He also received the Philippine Liberation Ribbon (1 star) for service in support of the Philippine Liberation Campaign (1944-45). Roger was honorably discharged in June of 1946.

On February 20, 1949, Roger married the love of his life, Beverly Youngs of Ionia. Together they raised their family, primarily in the small town of Williamston. From the mid 1950’s through the late 1970’s, Roger worked for Michigan State University Concessions, the Chesapeake & Ohio Railroad as a station agent in multiple locations, and for five years was the owner/operator of the H & M Restaurant in Williamston. With his welcoming smile and big heart, no one was ever denied a meal, regardless of their ability to pay. In 1978, “Rog & Bev” ventured to Phoenix where for the next fourteen years, they lived, worked, and played in the Arizona sunshine. Roger’s uncanny ability to fix virtually anything served him well in maintenance supervisor positions with Granada Royale Hotels and Village Green Nursing Home. In 1992 they returned to Michigan to care for Beverly’s parents in Ionia and have maintained their personal residence in Kalamazoo ever since.

Roger represented the epitome of strength and authority, tempered with a genuinely soft, supportive side. He could present an imposing force when circumstances required it yet knew when a tempered approach was what was called for. Unwaveringly devoted to family, in his later years, Roger would often sit back at gatherings in quiet, prideful observance with a big, beautiful smile on his face. Maintaining a healthy appetite, he enjoyed all types of food and was never hesitant to request “just a little bit more.” Roger enjoyed watching MSU Spartan football and basketball games with his son, Mike, and proudly wore every Marine Corp race shirt and hat given to him by his son, Steve. Roger adored his grandchildren and great-grandchildren and often mentioned how fortunate he was to be around to enjoy them. Loving life and his family even more, Roger’s joyful presence will be deeply missed.

Roger is survived by his wife, Beverly; sons: Michael (Laurel), Terry (Kiki), Tim, and Steve; sister, Peggy Rider; along with his 16 grandchildren, and 25 great-grandchildren.

A small military service and burial will be held on Thursday, August 25, 2022, at Fort Custer National Cemetery in Augusta, for immediate and invited family. A Celebration of Life gathering for family and friends will be held from 12-3 PM on Sunday, August 28, 2022, at Schrier Park, 850 W. Osterhout Ave., Portage. Contributions in memory of Roger can be made to the San Diego Brain Injury Foundation (on behalf of his granddaughter, Nikki Scheidt) at www.sdbif.org or to the American Diabetes Association at www.diabetes.org.