Roger Kroshinsky

Roger Kroshinsky, age 91, of Portage, passed away December 4, 2023. He was born October 18, 1932 in Benton Harbor, Michigan to the late Edward F. and Lillian Elsie (Modro) Kroshinsky.

Roger was the only boy of five children and became the “man of the house” after the death of his father at a young age. He started work very young to help take care of the house, his mom and his four sisters. Roger was a 1950 graduate of Lawrence High School and soon enlisted in the United States Marine Corps.  He served honorably during the Korean War from 1951-1954. Roger was a member of the American Legion and a founding member of the Lawrence Alumni Association. 

Upon his discharge from the Marines, he finished a year of studies at Western Michigan University.  He then went to work as a long-distance truck driver for 37 years, retiring in 1994. He was a lifelong learner and took it upon himself to figure out how to do anything necessary, often with no instruction.  He would talk to anyone and was known for telling great stories and passing his wisdom along to others.  He was also an avid reader and he loved spending as much time as he could with his children and grandchildren.

Roger was preceded in death by his wife of nearly 60 years, Mildred (Dillenbeck) Kroshinsky, on April 10, 2015. He was also preceded in death by his sisters and brothers-in-law:  Lorraine (William) Horney, Wilma (Doyle) Hunter, and Donna (Monroe) Mills. 

He is survived by his three children:  Karl (MaryAnn) Kroshinsky, Karen (Thomas) Simpson, and Kathy (Rick) Vanderbeek; grandchildren, Carson and Spencer Kroshinsky and Heidi Vanderbeek; sister, Agnes (Ron) Hayhurst; as well as several nieces and nephews.

The family will greet family and friends Monday, December 11, 2023 from 3-6:00 pm at Langeland Family Funeral Homes Burial and Cremation Services, 3926 S 9th St, Kalamazoo, MI 49009, where a funeral service will take place Tuesday, December 12 at 10:30 am.  A time for fellowship will follow with burial at Ft. Custer National Cemetery at 2:00 pm with full military honors.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Lawrence Alumni Association, P.O. Box 475, Lawerence, MI  49064-0475 or to a memorial of one’s choosing.

To share a memory or leave a condolence for the family, visit https://www.langelands.com.