Margaret Jean “Pat” Rooker, 98, of Frankfort, passed away on Saturday, January 27, 2018, at Wesley Manor Retirement Community.
Pat was born September 7, 1919, in Frankfort, to Thurl O. “Pete” and Zula (Martin) Wade. On April 13, 1941, she married Robert Rooker in Frankfort; he passed away November 8, 2009.
In 1937, Pat graduated from Frankfort High School. She attended Purdue University for two years and then Jordon Conservatory for one year. At the age of 42, Pat attended MacMurray College for two years. Pat began her working career at the Frankfort City Pool and RCA in Indianapolis. After marriage, she was a stay-at-home mother until her children were in school. When returning to work while living in Jacksonville, Ill., Pat worked with both physically and mentally handicapped children where she helped to grow the Pathway Schools. The family returned to the Elkhart area where Pat worked in the Elkhart Public Schools with special needs children. Pat most enjoyed being a minister’s wife and mother to her three children. Pat was a member of Geetingsville Presbyterian Church and Greenburg Presbyterian Church Women’s Fellowship called Friendship and Talent.
Pat is survived by her children, Rev. Lewis W. Rooker, of Sacramento, Cal., David (Rhonda) Rooker, of Tyler, Tex., and Carol (David) Courtney, of Fort Wayne; eight grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, and three great-great-grandchildren.
In addition to her husband, Pat is preceded in death by her brothers, James H. Wade and Robert W. Wade; and daughter-in-law, Diane Rooker.
A gathering of family and friends will be held on Friday, February 2, 2018, at Amanda Reid Memorial Chapel at Wesley Manor from 1:00 p.m. to the start of the funeral service at 2:00 p.m. Chaplain Deborah Musick will officiate. Memorials in Pat’s name may be made to Wesley Manor Good Samaritan or Geetingsville Presbyterian Church. Arrangements are entrusted to Genda Funeral Home Rossville Chapel with online condolences may be directed to www.gendafuneralhome.com.