Roger Hodge

Roger Hodge, 70, of Palestine, IL, died on August 23, 2026, at St. Vincent Hospital in Evansville, IN.

Roger was born on October 7, 1955, in Dyersburg, TN, the son of Edgar Hodge and Sandra (Seaney) Hodge. His childhood took him to many places throughout the Midwest and South, including Tennessee, Alabama, Indiana, and Illinois, before his family eventually settled in Palestine. Those years gave Roger plenty of experiences and stories to carry with him, but Palestine became the community he called home.

Roger was never afraid of hard work and made his living in a variety of ways over the years. He spent several years working in the oil fields and also worked for Stewart Security, Marathon, and Lawrence Gravel. He eventually retired from Laborers Local 1280. No matter the job, Roger was the kind of man who could be counted on to put in an honest day's work.

On August 31, 2007, Roger married Janet Coatney Daugherty. Together, they enjoyed a life that included family, friends, laughter, and plenty of good times. Roger and Janet especially enjoyed going dancing together. Somewhere along the way, Roger started wearing a red hanky in his back pocket when they went dancing. Before long, others began doing the same, and what started as Roger's own little touch became a tradition among the group.

That playful side of Roger was never far away. He was a prankster, who enjoyed getting a laugh, even if it meant startling someone when they least expected it. If Roger pulled a prank on you or tried to scare you, there was a pretty good chance it was simply one of his ways of showing that he loved you. Beneath the joking was a solid, easygoing man with a big heart. He rarely became angry, cared deeply about people, and had a way of making life a little more fun for those around him.

Some of Roger's happiest times were spent with his grandchildren. He also loved fishing and could settle in for a good Western movie or spend hours watching the History Channel. His interest in the past extended beyond television, and for several years he belonged to an archaeology club. He was also a member of the Palestine Eagles and the Masonic Lodge.

Roger enjoyed having a project to work on, and one of his biggest in recent years was restoring a Jeep. What began about five years ago became a long-term labor of patience and persistence. He kept working at it until, at last, the Jeep was finished—a project he was proud to see through from beginning to end.

More than any job, club, hobby, or project, Roger will be remembered for the personality he brought with him wherever he went. He enjoyed a good laugh, loved spending time with his family, and never seemed to lose that mischievous streak. His pranks may have made people jump, his red hanky may have started a trend, and his stories likely brought more than a few laughs, but behind all of it was simply Roger—a good, solid man with a generous heart who loved the people in his life.

He is survived by his wife, Janet Hodge; children, Tracy (Clayton) Cribelar, Stacy (Jeff) Goodland, and Leonard (Christy) Daugherty; grandchildren, Dallas (Sarah) Daugherty, Nicholas (Kayla) Pfeifer, Tamara Franklin, Elizabeth(Andy) Skaggs and family, Daron (Allisa) Skaggs and family, Lance Skaggs and family and Jami (Jacob) Fuller and family; great-grandchildren, Leighton Daugherty, Walker Daugherty and Rosalina Escobedo; siblings, Cathy & Rick Alderson, Sherry & Scott Creed, Ed & Diane Hodge, Allen & Angie Hodge, and Ashley & Mark Toliver; as well as several nieces, nephews, and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Edgar and Sandra Hodge; his sister, Debra Sue Lankston; and his nephews, Shawn Lankston and Matt Alderson. 

A time of visitation will be held from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 29th, at the Goodwine Funeral Home in Palestine. Masonic services will immediately follow at 3:00 p.m., followed by a service officiated by Pastor Tim Watson.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Riley Children's Hospital, with envelopes available at the funeral home.