Roger E. Fenker, 76, of rural Columbia City, died peacefully in the company of family at 3:50 p.m. Tuesday, February 20, 2024, at Parkview Regional Medical Center, Fort Wayne.

Born on February 24, 1947, in Fort Wayne, Indiana, he was a son of the late Harold E. and Helen O. (Kelsey) Fenker. Growing up in Columbia Twp., he graduated from Columbia City Joint High School in 1965.

On October 3, 1966 he was inducted into the U.S. Army, he was serving in Vietnam as a military policeman and mechanic until his honorable discharge on September 27, 1968.

He continued his education at Allied Institute in Chicago and went on to become a tool & die maker. For 44 years, he worked as a Tool & Die maker for Precision Plastics, Columbia City.

On December 6, 1969, he married Rebecca A. Kennedy.  They made their home in rural Columbia City beginning their 54-year life together raising two children.

A man of faith, he was an active member of St John Evangelical Lutheran Church, Columbia City and routinely made time for evening devotions.  He assisted the church with maintenance and was currently working on renovations to the church bell.  At home he enjoyed vegetable gardening and tinkering in the barn.  When the grandkids came along, they became his focus and joy teaching them to fish. He also held a special place for the grand dogs.  In his retirement, he met monthly for breakfast with his fellow work companions.

Surviving is his wife, Becky; children, Ryan (Nancy) Fenker of Columbia City and Rachel (Kendal) Burkholder of South Whitley; grandchildren, Dillon Fenker and David (Caroline) Fenker; and a family friend he loved as a son, Dave Bachota.

He was preceded in death by a brother, Gary Fenker.

The funeral service is 3 p.m. Saturday at Smith & Sons Funeral Home, Columbia City.  Roger will be interred on his birthday at St Peter's Cemetery, Columbia City.  Visitation is 4 to 8 p.m. Friday at the funeral home.

Memorials in Roger's honor are to St. John Lutheran Church, bell restoration project or Humane Fort Wayne.