Roger Allen Jacobs

Roger Allen Jacobs, 60, of Mishawaka, passed away peacefully on March 8, 2013 in Florida.

Roger was born December 19, 1952 in Cairo, Illinois to Eugene and Dorothy (Eddy) Jacobs. He grew up in Niles, Michigan and graduated from Brandywine High School in 1971. Throughout his life, Roger lived in the Michiana area, as well as Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania for a few years. In his younger years he played college football and was an accomplished drummer. He loved riding motorcycles, tinkering with an old boat in Florida and watching the sunset over the Gulf. Roger spent the last few winters in Florida and summers in Mishawaka. Throughout his life, Roger worked in the vocational trades and later worked as a Network Administrator of small manufacturing companies in Elkhart.

Roger is survived by his loving soul-mate of ten years, Rosemarie Dosmann Kehr of Mishawaka; daughters, Brittany Jean Jacobs of Pennsylvania and Ashley Marie Kehr of Mishawaka; and sisters, Karen (Jacobs) Taylor of Osceola and Sheila (Jacobs) (Terry) Brown of Canton, Michigan.

Roger’s extended family includes his father for the last 30 years, Gene Ralstin of South Bend; three sisters, Karen (John) Campbell of Oviedo, Florida, Judy (Mike) Vavul of South Bend, and Gerri (Steve) Lakes of Kansas City, Missouri; and a brother, William “Bill” (Vicki) Ralstin of Granger.

Roger was preceded in death by his father, Eugene Harold Jacobs; his mother, Dorothy “Dody” (Jacobs) Ralstin; and a beautiful daughter whom he referred to as the “light of his life” on a daily basis, Brittney Jean Kehr. Brittney was our “special needs” child and lived at the Hannah & Friends Neighborhood. She captured Roger’s heart and fondly referred to him as her “R”.

A service celebrating Roger’s life will be held Wednesday, May 8, at 1 pm in the Chapel at Southfield Village, 6450 Miami Circle, South Bend. Leading the service will be Rev. Paul Doyle, CSC.

Roger’s family will greet friends Wednesday from 12 noon - 1 pm.

Roger’s family suggests in lieu of flowers, memorials be directed to Hannah & Friends Neighborhood or the Chicago House also located in the Neighborhood, 51250 Hollyhock Road, South Bend, IN 46637. Envelopes will be available at the service or at the funeral home.

Arrangements are in the care of Goethals & Wells Funeral Home, 503 W. 3rd Street, Mishawaka.