Stewart, Roger Michael

Roger Michael Stewart, 59, of Kirksville, Mo., passed away Sunday, April 28, 2013, after a short illness. The family will receive friends from 7 to 8 p.m. Friday, May 3, at St. Andrew Apartment Community Room, 500 S. Osteopathy, Kirksville, Mo. A memorial to celebrate Roger's life will be held at 4 p.m. Saturday at the home of his niece, Jennifer Gunnels, 19352 State Highway 156, Laplata, Mo.

He is survived by his mother; four children and their mothers, John Stewart, (Joyce Carson Stewart,) of Liberty, Mo., Kevin Stewart, Abby Stewart and Alex Stewart, (Peggy Stewart Henderson) of Cedar Rapids; a brother, Teddy Stewart of Jacksonville, Fla.; sisters, Dorothy Stewart Hudnall and Jodie Stewart Bunch, of Kirksville, Mo.; and several nieces and nephews.

Roger was preceded in death by his father; sisters, Barbara Carvanar and Treva Patton; and one niece, Charity Patton.

Roger was born June 8, 1953, in North Platte, Neb., the son of Emil and Irene Sparks Stewart. He lived in the north Missouri area during his childhood years, later moving to Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and working for 27 years at the Cedar Rapids Water Pollution Control Facility. He returned to Missouri after retirement, working at Farmland Foods in Milan, Mo., until the time of his death.

Roger served in the Infantry Regular Army, receiving the National Defense Service Medal. Roger loved spending his free time fishing, camping and hunting with his family and friends.

Roger's remains will be placed in the Lone Tree Cemetery in Putnam County, Mo., at a later date.

Published in The Gazette May 1, 2013.

Address of memorial celebration updated; published May 2, 2013 in The Gazette