Rodger J. Otterbein, age 83, passed away on Sunday, January 26, 2025. He was born on April 5, 1941, the son of Ward and Sophie (Sabo) Otterbein, in Coopersville, MI. Rodger dedicated many years of his life as a custodian/groundskeeper for Royal Oak Schools and later served the Beaverton Community Schools as a bus driver until his retirement. He was also very proud of his first job with the Johnson Milk Company where he would collect glass milk jars while working with his father. He had a passion for driving and took great pride in maintaining his yard. He was a grizzly bear on the outside but a generous teddy bear on the inside. He loved his family dearly and was always everyone’s biggest supporter.
He is survived by his sister: Betty Zurawski; brother: David Otterbein; niece: Becky (Charlie) Hunt; great-niece: Miranda Hunt (aka doc); and partner Beverly Lowery.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brother-in-law, Michael Zurawski; and nephew, Daniel Hansen.
A visitation will be held on Sunday, February 2, 2025 from 1:00-3:30 P.M. at Hall-Kokotovich Funeral Home, in Gladwin. A eulogy will take place at 3:30 P.M. Rodger will be laid to rest at Benzonia Township Cemetery in Benzonia, MI. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Toni and Trish House in Auburn, MI. Arrangements are in the care of Hall-Kokotovich Funeral Home. www.hallkokotovichfuneralhome.com
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Rodger Otterbein, please visit our flower store.