WASHINGTON – Roger D. Steiger, 79, died at 7:20 a.m. Tuesday, June 3, 2008, at his residence.

Born Dec. 16, 1928, in Grafton, Neb., to Max and Freda Issler Steiger, he married Katherine Hall in June 1951 in Peoria. She died in 1973. He later married Linda Sue Haney July 1, 1977, in Pekin. She survives.

Also surviving are two sons, Norman (Lisa) Steiger of Palmer, Texas, and Raymond (Loretta) Ellis of Washington; one daughter, Nancy (Niles) Godsey of Washington; one brother, Gerald Steiger of Hastings, Neb.; four sisters, Cleo (Dale) Snow of Glenvil, Neb., Gretchen Griess of Lincoln, Neb., Valjean (Francis) Reinsch of Geneva, Neb., and Deanna (Kenny) Thornberg of Loveland, Colo.; 10 grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by two daughters, six brothers and two sisters.
He is a U.S. Army veteran, and served during the Korean Conflict from 1953-55.

He worked for Caterpillar Inc. in research and later worked as a gear specialist, retiring after 39 years of service. He was a member of UAW Local 974.

He also was a school bus driver for District 50 in Washington for many years.  He also coached baseball with the Northern Tazewell Recreation Association.

Services were June 7 at Deiters Funeral Home in Washington. The Rev. Steve Hardin officiated. Visitation was Friday at the funeral home.

Burial was in Hillcrest Memory Gardens in rural Morton. Military rites were accorded by the Tazewell Military Rites Team.
Memorials may be made to Northern Tazewell Fire and Rescue or to Roland Manor Baptist Church.

To send condolences online, visit www.deitersfuneralhome.com.