Bernice "Bea" Rogan

Bernice “Bea” Rogan, nee Weiten, 96, formerly of Aurora, passed away Sunday, July 23, 2017 at Bickford Assisted Living in Oswego. She was born July 7, 1921 in Wheatland Township, Illinois. Shortly after graduating from Our Lady of Good Counsel Grade School in 1936, Bea was employed as a live-in family assistant in the Near Westside Aurora home of Colonel Lester Barnhill, where she cared for the Barnhill children and served as an aide to Mrs. Barnhill for numerous military social events. After Colonel Barnhill was dispatched to duty in the Second World War in 1941, Bea found work at Thor Power Tool Company in Aurora. Her co-workers nicknamed her “Sunshine” for her ready smile and friendly disposition, qualities which Bea displayed throughout her life. While working the swing shift in Thor’s legendary Department 56, Bea met her future husband, Don Rogan. Bea was an avid bowler who posted consistently high averages in the Monday Night Ladies League at Sylvandell Lanes in Aurora. She loved flowers, gardening and creating floral arrangements for parties and for displays on the gravesites of family and friends. After her husband Don retired, Bea worked at National Food Store and A&P Food Store in the delicatessen and as a cashier. Customers routinely insisted on checking out at Bea’s register, where she engaged everyone with a smile and enthusiastic conversation. Bea loved to meet people and she showed unfailing respect and unconditional acceptance of everyone she encountered. Wherever Bea went, she met friends or made new friends; she was loved greatly by many. She was a longtime member of the Fox Valley Friendly Center Club at the Prisco Community Center. Bea volunteered at Hesed House, Aurora’s longtime homeless support center, for many years, serving meals and offering loving support to the clients there as part of St. Mary Church’s commitment to community outreach and service. Bea was a member of St. Mary Church, the Altar and Rosary Society, and served as a Eucharistic Minister. She volunteered in the religious bookstore at St. Mary for many years. Survivors include her son, Daniel Rogan of San Francisco, CA; her brother, Henry Weiten of Aurora; her sister, Rose Marie Miller of Somonauk; and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her loving husband of 41 years, Donald Rogan in 1988; her parents, Harry and Eva (Brummel) Weiten; five brothers, Elmer, Clarence (Mary), Herbert, Ralph (Yolanda) and Edward Weiten; five sisters, Regina Weiten, Pauline Weiten, Genevieve (Elmer) Ory, Marian (Dick) Divelbiss and Elaine (Fred) Landers; her brother-in-law, Ron Miller; and her sister-in-law, June Weiten. Bea and her family wish to acknowledge and express their sincerest gratitude to the staff and residents of Anderson Farms Apartments in Montgomery, IL, where Bea resided for over ten years after leaving her Southeast Side Aurora home of 45 years, and where she made numerous dear friends; the loving caregivers at Bickford Assisted Living in Oswego, Alden of Waterford Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center in Aurora, Angels Grace Hospice, and Rush-Copley Medical Center, especially her primary care physician, Dr. Mary McAfee, and her cardiologist, Dr. Santosh Gill. Funeral services will be held Monday, July 31, 2017 from THE DALEIDEN MORTUARY at 9:30 AM to Our Lady of Good Counsel Church at 10:00 AM. Fr. Timothy Piasecki will officiate. Interment will be private. Visitation will be held Sunday, July 30, 2017 from 3:00 PM – 8:00 PM, with a Liturgical Wake Service at 5:00 PM, at THE DALEIDEN MORTUARY, 220 N. Lake Street, Aurora, IL 60506. (630) 631-5500. Please visit our interactive website at www.daleidenmortuary.com where you may sign the guest book or leave condolences for Bernice’s family. In lieu of flowers please make donations to St. Mary Church, 432 E. Downer Place, Aurora, IL 60505 or to the School Sisters of St. Francis at www.sssf.org.

Bernice "Bea" Rogan

July 7, 1921 - July 23, 2017