Roger Dale Antilla Sr.

BRUCE CROSSING, Mich. - Roger Dale Antilla Sr., 73, of Bruce Crossing, passed away July 25, 2022 peacefully at home in Battle Creek surrounded by loved ones.

Roger was born April 30, 1949, to Toivo and Martha (Mattson) Antilla and was a graduate of Ewen High School class of 1967. After high school, Roger enlisted in the U.S. Army as a helicopter mechanic serving his country in Vietnam, Germany and stateside.

On April 11, 1970, Roger married Theresa (Yates) Antilla and had two children, Roger Jr. and Cheri. After an honorable discharge, Roger and his family moved back to his hometown of Bruce Crossing, where he ran a local full service gas station, worked for the Ontonagon County Road Commission as a greaser and truck driver, worked for Lac Vieux Desert transporting dialysis patients, and ran his own snow plowing and lawn mowing business. On Nov. 27, 1993, Roger married his high school sweetheart, Mary (Lannet) Spalding-Antilla. Roger enjoyed fishing, hunting, playing guitar and hosting his annual Tiller Dude Acoustic Jamboree. Roger was also a very active member of the community including his role as commander of the Henry A. Holappa VFW Post 9345.

Roger is preceded in death by his mother and father, Toivo and Martha (Mattson) Antilla; brother, Kenneth Antilla; and brother and sister-in-law, Donald and Karen Antilla.

Roger is survived by his loving wife, Mary (Lannet) Spalding-Antilla; son, Roger (Jules) Antilla Jr. of Marshall; daughter, Cheri Bannan of Marquette MI; stepdaughter, Robyn Ortiz of Naperville, Illinois; stepsons, Ryan Spalding of Schaumburg, Illinois, and Randy (Misty) Spalding of Fountain, Colorado; 10 grandchildren, Joshua, Joseph, Kayla, Ivan, Alex, Madeleine, Allison, Logan, Christian and Elise; many nieces, nephews and cousins; and Sasha the Wonder Dog.

A military honors service will be held on Aug. 8, at 11 a.m., at the Paynesville Cemetery on Nurkkala Road. A celebration of life will immediately follow at the Henry A. Holappa VFW Post 9345 in Bruce Crossing where people can share stories of remembrance.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Roger's honor to the Henry A. Holappa VFW Post 9345 in Bruce Crossing.