Lester “Gale” Rogers, 76, of Holton, KS, formerly of Effingham, passed away Monday, June 19, 2017 at Medicalodge Jackson County. He was born August 12, 1940 in Severance, KS, the son of Oren “Bud” and Betty (Foster) Rogers.

Gale graduated from Effingham High School in 1958 and later graduated from Highland Community College with an Associate’s Degree in business. Gale also graduated from Western College of Auctioneering in Billings, MT. He proudly served in the United States Navy as an air traffic controller during the Vietnam Era from 1960 – 1965. He was a policeman for Topeka and Lawrence Police Dept. from 1965 – 1968 and worked for many years as a mail carrier for Topeka and Lawrence Post Offices. Gale was also an Auctioneer Colonel working for over 1000 auctions. He was a member of the Oskaloosa Masonic Lodge #14 AF & AM.

Survivors include 3 daughters, Carrie Branson of Ozawkie, KS, Amy Rethman (Jarred) of Netawaka, KS and Angela Forshee (Chris) of Oskaloosa, KS; a sister, Mary Alice Domme of Sherman, TX and 6 grandchildren, Cole and Chase Branson, Logan and Kolby Rethman and Evan and Landon Forshee.

A Celebration of Life will be 11:00 a.m. Friday, June 23, 2017 at the Mercer Funeral Home in Holton. Family will greet friends from 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. Friday morning. Private family burial will be at a later date.  Memorials may be given to the Holton Community Hospital Hospice c/o Mercer Funeral Home, P.O. Box 270, Holton, KS 66436. To leave a special message for the family, please visit www.mercerfuneralhomes.com