ELKHART, IN. -- Mr. Roger Alan West, 69, of Elkhart, passed away Thursday, July 2, 2020 at 6:00 pm following a single vehicle accident on Elkhart’s northside. It should be noted that Roger was blessed to have died doing what he loved the most, with a smile on his face (and probably some bugs in his teeth), chasing the wind on his beloved Harley Davidson motorcycle. He was born in Oakland, CA on May 22, 1951 and was the son of the late John and Audrey (Brittain) Butts.
Surviving is his daughter Janna (Brian) Balsley of Cape Coral, Fl; grandsons Brock and Gavin Balsley, and a host of loving extended family, close friends, drinkin’ buddies, business associates and his precious pit-bull mix “Star”.
A son, Roger Alan Purdie, precedes Roger in death
In accordance to his wishes, Roger’s family has requested no services and to have cremation take place. Rather, they’d like for all of Roger’s friends to remember their buddy by coming together at Pete’s Tavern at Simonton Lake on SR 19 in Elkhart, and raising a glass to their friend on Sunday, July 12, 2020 from 2-4 pm. Billings Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Elkhart have been assisting the family.
Following Roger’s graduation at Jimtown, he went right into sales, an occupation that he happily pursued for the rest of his life. He had been working at a Sunset Park RV in Shipshewana at the time of his passing.
He was fiercely loyal to his daughter, son-in-law and his grandchildren, and was especially proud of his eldest grandson Brock’s baseball career, as he had recently been accepted to play college baseball. In fact, Roger had even expressed interest in moving to Florida in the near future because he wanted to be closer to everyone and everything he loved including the ocean. He was also a huge Fighting Irish of Notre Dame fan.
To say that Roger was a motorcycle enthusiast would be an understatement on the same level as saying a Harley Davidson is just a motorcycle. He worked hard, played harder and lived large, and Roger and his bike were inseparable. He had ridden practically all his life, and raced motorcycles in his earlier years. Now, that’s not to say he didn’t dabble in racing as he got older, because word has it that that he was clocked drag racing at the Osceola Motor Speedway at sixty-four years old!
Roger’s happiest times always involved his family, his friends, his bike and going fast. He never turned down the opportunity to enjoy life, and always strived to make folks happy. He’ll be best remembered for his infectious smile, his “larger-than-life” personality, and his love for the important things in life. Ride on into the West, my friend…
Family and friends are encouraged to browse the funeral home’s website, where one can share the obituary, leave condolences for the family, order flowers and more. Memorial donations in Roger’s memory may be given to any no-kill animal shelter.
Contributor: C & Y Zinn-Haines (47043207)
Surviving is his daughter Janna (Brian) Balsley of Cape Coral, Fl; grandsons Brock and Gavin Balsley, and a host of loving extended family, close friends, drinkin’ buddies, business associates and his precious pit-bull mix “Star”.
A son, Roger Alan Purdie, precedes Roger in death
In accordance to his wishes, Roger’s family has requested no services and to have cremation take place. Rather, they’d like for all of Roger’s friends to remember their buddy by coming together at Pete’s Tavern at Simonton Lake on SR 19 in Elkhart, and raising a glass to their friend on Sunday, July 12, 2020 from 2-4 pm. Billings Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Elkhart have been assisting the family.
Following Roger’s graduation at Jimtown, he went right into sales, an occupation that he happily pursued for the rest of his life. He had been working at a Sunset Park RV in Shipshewana at the time of his passing.
He was fiercely loyal to his daughter, son-in-law and his grandchildren, and was especially proud of his eldest grandson Brock’s baseball career, as he had recently been accepted to play college baseball. In fact, Roger had even expressed interest in moving to Florida in the near future because he wanted to be closer to everyone and everything he loved including the ocean. He was also a huge Fighting Irish of Notre Dame fan.
To say that Roger was a motorcycle enthusiast would be an understatement on the same level as saying a Harley Davidson is just a motorcycle. He worked hard, played harder and lived large, and Roger and his bike were inseparable. He had ridden practically all his life, and raced motorcycles in his earlier years. Now, that’s not to say he didn’t dabble in racing as he got older, because word has it that that he was clocked drag racing at the Osceola Motor Speedway at sixty-four years old!
Roger’s happiest times always involved his family, his friends, his bike and going fast. He never turned down the opportunity to enjoy life, and always strived to make folks happy. He’ll be best remembered for his infectious smile, his “larger-than-life” personality, and his love for the important things in life. Ride on into the West, my friend…
Family and friends are encouraged to browse the funeral home’s website, where one can share the obituary, leave condolences for the family, order flowers and more. Memorial donations in Roger’s memory may be given to any no-kill animal shelter.
Contributor: C & Y Zinn-Haines (47043207)
ELKHART, IN. -- Mr. Roger Alan West, 69, of Elkhart, passed away Thursday, July 2, 2020 at 6:00 pm following a single vehicle accident on Elkhart’s northside. It should be noted that Roger was blessed to have died doing what he loved the most, with a smile on his face (and probably some bugs in his teeth), chasing the wind on his beloved Harley Davidson motorcycle. He was born in Oakland, CA on May 22, 1951 and was the son of the late John and Audrey (Brittain) Butts.
Surviving is his daughter Janna (Brian) Balsley of Cape Coral, Fl; grandsons Brock and Gavin Balsley, and a host of loving extended family, close friends, drinkin’ buddies, business associates and his precious pit-bull mix “Star”.
A son, Roger Alan Purdie, precedes Roger in death
In accordance to his wishes, Roger’s family has requested no services and to have cremation take place. Rather, they’d like for all of Roger’s friends to remember their buddy by coming together at Pete’s Tavern at Simonton Lake on SR 19 in Elkhart, and raising a glass to their friend on Sunday, July 12, 2020 from 2-4 pm. Billings Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Elkhart have been assisting the family.
Following Roger’s graduation at Jimtown, he went right into sales, an occupation that he happily pursued for the rest of his life. He had been working at a Sunset Park RV in Shipshewana at the time of his passing.
He was fiercely loyal to his daughter, son-in-law and his grandchildren, and was especially proud of his eldest grandson Brock’s baseball career, as he had recently been accepted to play college baseball. In fact, Roger had even expressed interest in moving to Florida in the near future because he wanted to be closer to everyone and everything he loved including the ocean. He was also a huge Fighting Irish of Notre Dame fan.
To say that Roger was a motorcycle enthusiast would be an understatement on the same level as saying a Harley Davidson is just a motorcycle. He worked hard, played harder and lived large, and Roger and his bike were inseparable. He had ridden practically all his life, and raced motorcycles in his earlier years. Now, that’s not to say he didn’t dabble in racing as he got older, because word has it that that he was clocked drag racing at the Osceola Motor Speedway at sixty-four years old!
Roger’s happiest times always involved his family, his friends, his bike and going fast. He never turned down the opportunity to enjoy life, and always strived to make folks happy. He’ll be best remembered for his infectious smile, his “larger-than-life” personality, and his love for the important things in life. Ride on into the West, my friend…
Family and friends are encouraged to browse the funeral home’s website, where one can share the obituary, leave condolences for the family, order flowers and more. Memorial donations in Roger’s memory may be given to any no-kill animal shelter.
Contributor: C & Y Zinn-Haines (47043207)
Surviving is his daughter Janna (Brian) Balsley of Cape Coral, Fl; grandsons Brock and Gavin Balsley, and a host of loving extended family, close friends, drinkin’ buddies, business associates and his precious pit-bull mix “Star”.
A son, Roger Alan Purdie, precedes Roger in death
In accordance to his wishes, Roger’s family has requested no services and to have cremation take place. Rather, they’d like for all of Roger’s friends to remember their buddy by coming together at Pete’s Tavern at Simonton Lake on SR 19 in Elkhart, and raising a glass to their friend on Sunday, July 12, 2020 from 2-4 pm. Billings Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Elkhart have been assisting the family.
Following Roger’s graduation at Jimtown, he went right into sales, an occupation that he happily pursued for the rest of his life. He had been working at a Sunset Park RV in Shipshewana at the time of his passing.
He was fiercely loyal to his daughter, son-in-law and his grandchildren, and was especially proud of his eldest grandson Brock’s baseball career, as he had recently been accepted to play college baseball. In fact, Roger had even expressed interest in moving to Florida in the near future because he wanted to be closer to everyone and everything he loved including the ocean. He was also a huge Fighting Irish of Notre Dame fan.
To say that Roger was a motorcycle enthusiast would be an understatement on the same level as saying a Harley Davidson is just a motorcycle. He worked hard, played harder and lived large, and Roger and his bike were inseparable. He had ridden practically all his life, and raced motorcycles in his earlier years. Now, that’s not to say he didn’t dabble in racing as he got older, because word has it that that he was clocked drag racing at the Osceola Motor Speedway at sixty-four years old!
Roger’s happiest times always involved his family, his friends, his bike and going fast. He never turned down the opportunity to enjoy life, and always strived to make folks happy. He’ll be best remembered for his infectious smile, his “larger-than-life” personality, and his love for the important things in life. Ride on into the West, my friend…
Family and friends are encouraged to browse the funeral home’s website, where one can share the obituary, leave condolences for the family, order flowers and more. Memorial donations in Roger’s memory may be given to any no-kill animal shelter.
Contributor: C & Y Zinn-Haines (47043207)
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