Submitted by: Dan Rich
Roger B. Whitfield
Roger B. Whitfield, 56, of South Bend, IN, formerly of Niles, passed away Monday, November 28, 2005, of natural causes.
Roger "Rog" was born on September 4, 1949, in Buchanan, to Edna (Matthews) Whitfield and the late Julius Whitfield. He graduated from Brandywine High School in 1968. Roger was a Vietnam veteran who served in the United States Navy.
On July 1, 1972, Roger married Diane (Tirotta) Whitfield, who he leaves to cherish his memory. Roger was a Niles firefighter before finding his true calling as a car salesman. After 20 years of pounding the pavement, "Rog" forged into the food industry. Over the past 10 years, Roger was owner and vice president of J.A. Foodservice and J and R Packaging, two successful corporations in Michiana.
Roger was passionate about his family, his friends, and people in general. Roger was the most charismatic man. People gravitated to him when he walked into a room. His sense of humor, great strength, courage, and heart of gold drew people, both young and old, to him. He served the Niles community in many ways, including Civitan and Jaycees. Roger knew no strangers and accepted all people, opening his home to anyone who needed a shoulder to cry on, a lesson to be learned, or a place to lay their head. People closest to Roger remember gathering at the kitchen table, drinking coffee and talking for hours.
Roger loved playing golf with his brothers, brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, and his wife. He was an avid fan of Notre Dame football, especially when ND played Tennessee. He loved to watch the Food Network, and was always going into the kitchen to try out new recipes. He was famous with his family for his Sunday breakfasts and his newly discovered peach cobbler recipe.
Surviving are his wife, Diane; his mother, Edna Whitfield of Niles, Michigan; and three children, Matthew B. (Kelly) Whitfield, Bradley A. Whitfield and Sara M. Whitfield, all of South Bend; two brothers, Tim A, (Sandy) Whitfield and Michael 0. (Lynn) Whitfield, both of Niles, Michigan; and a sister, Sally A. (Ken) Zmudzinski of Cassopolis, Michigan.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday in Holy Cross Catholic Church, South Bend. Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. today in the Bubb Funeral Chapel North, 3910 North Main Street, Mishawaka. A Rosary service will be said at 4:00 p.m. today in the funeral chapel.
Roger was a great provider, supporting his
three children through college and helping them to make their own
footprints on the world. Roger's crowning glory was his children,
and his pride showed every single day. Roger will be greatly
missed in life, but in the way he would want, he will be
celebrated and greatly revered as a loyal friend, loving husband,
and an amazing father. (nf)