Stanley C. Rogers, II, age 85 of Newport, passed away at his home on Friday; February 2, 2024.

Born November 24, 1938, in Newport, Michigan to the late Stanley and Juanita (Goodman) Rogers, he was the second of three sons.  He would grow up on the same family land he was born on, graduating from Airport High School with the Class of 1957.  At a court dance in 1955, he met the love of his life, Elaine DiSabatino.  He knew right away she was the one for him, and they married on June 20, 1959.  The couple moved to Chicago to begin married life while Stan went to college, graduating from DeVry University with a degree in electrical engineering.  They lived in various states until the family eventually returned to Newport, and Stan and Elaine would go on to raise their four children in the same home he grew up in.

Stan worked as an I&C Technician at DTE Energy’s Fermi II, retiring in 1996.  Never one to sit still, Stan had many passions after retiring, including running a driving range and teaching his sons-in-law and grandchildren how to golf, becoming a realtor, and running Nana’s Kettle Corn at Erie Orchards and fairs, but his real passion was in being Santa.  He and his wife traveled all around the U.S. while “Santa Stan” worked for 35 Christmas seasons, even traveling to Florida for the Give the Kids the World Foundation to volunteer as Santa.  He was extremely honored to received Worldwide Photography’s Best Overall Santa award, beating out 800 other professional Santas.  He was happy to spend his last 3 years as Santa at the Mall of Monroe. Stan was also a published author, penning the book Will the Electoral College Destroy Our Democracy?.  He was immensely proud of his book and was willing to talk to anyone at length about it.  He was also a volunteer for Relay for Life, Monroe Commission on Aging, Friends of Potter Cemetery, and Ash Township as an election inspector.

Stan was a true patriarch of his family and shared a remarkable bond with his wife, Elaine, having courted her for 69 years, and always teasing he was into ‘older women’ because his wife was 3 months older than him, and he never let her forget it.  He was Bumpa to 15 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren, finding immense pride and fulfillment in watching them grow and flourish.

Those who had the privilege of knowing Stan will remember him as a man of strong opinions, never hesitant to speak his mind. Yet, beneath his gruff exterior was an unwavering devotion to his family.  He never missed an opportunity to speak when a microphone was around, and he especially enjoyed embarrassing each of his grandchildren at their wedding with the advice: “Argue naked and see how long the argument lasts”. His laughter, his jokes—sometimes inappropriate—and his genuine personality shone through everything he did.

Beyond his family, Stan enjoyed spending many holidays and vacations with his wife and best friends, Tom & Joann Gonyea and Tom & Joan Vandergriff.

Stan leaves his beloved wife of 64 years: Elaine, and their children: Stanley C. Rogers, III; Shawn Rogers, and Tracy (Terry) Brown; 15 grandchildren: Jessica (Mike Marshall) Rogers, Brian (Heather) Rogers, ReAnna Hemry, Shawn (Kate) Rogers II, Tanya (Aaron) Williams, Cecelia (Clayton) Eilers, Andrea Eastman, Josh (Betsy) Rogers, TJ (Alyssa) Brown, Leroy (Morgan) Rogers, Stuart (Adam Phillips) Eastman, Caleb Eastman, Tonie (Aaron) Bans, Nick (Christy) Rogers, and Trevor (Ashley) Brown; 22 great-grandchildren: Dylan, Serenity, Aiden, Taylor, Brayden, Lydia, Addison, Xavier, Cayden, Reece, Paxton, Camden, Keidis, Elijah, Landon, Brynlee, Beckham, Norah, Sophia, Olive, Tessa, and Beckett; and a brother: John Rogers.

Sadly, he was preceded in death by his daughter: Michele (Mikki) Eastman; his son-in-law: Gene Eastman; daughter-in-law: Corinne Rogers; grandson: Nathan Rogers; and his brother: Charles Rogers.

Friends may gather from 2:00pm until 7:00pm on Thursday; February 8, 2024, at Merkle Funeral Service, North Monroe; 2442 North Monroe Street, Monroe, Michigan 48162 (734) 384-5185.  A Funeral Service Celebrating His Life will follow at Merkle’s at 7:00pm.  Cremation will take place through the on-site crematory, Covenant Cremation of Erie, Michigan. 

Memorials are suggested to Friends of Potter Cemetery, the Monroe Commission on Aging, Relay for Life, or Give the Kids the World Foundation.  Online guests may leave words of inspiration and comfort or share a photo by visiting www.merklefs.com.

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