Roger W. Schoch Jr., 70, of Dakota died Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2014, at Rockford Memorial Hospital.

He was born Nov. 9, 1944, at St. Francis Hospital in Freeport to Roger Wayne Sr. and Genevieve Alberta Kuehl Schoch. Roger and Donna Wirth were united in marriage Oct. 5, 1963, at Dakota Community Church. The two are parents of a daughter, Karin Sue (David) Kopecky of Kingman, Ariz., and a son, Steven James (Suzanne, fiancé) Schoch of Freeport; and grandparents of five, Lauren and Adam Kopecky, Tanner, Holly and Brady Schoch.

After graduating from Dakota High School in 1962, Roger operated the big mill at Ingersoll Milling Machine Co. in Rockford, hauled milk for Doug Schoonhoven in Dakota, learned to drive semi hauling grain for J.L. Hutchison, and was an over-the-road truck driver for Furst McNess in Freeport, Dean Foods in Huntley, for which he pulled doubles, and U.S.F. Holland in Rockford.

Through the years in his spare time he enjoyed bowling, was an avid golfer, and loved competing as a trapshooter locally, at state shoots and at the Grand. A card player, he kept up his membership at the Farmers Roost, where he played euchre as often as he could. Friday nights was set aside for "Hand and Foot" where he and Sue were in a running battle against Steve and Donna.

He and his good friend Larry Lartz, along with others, worked many hours restoring his 1933 Chevrolet 1½-ton truck seen in many parades and shows. They also worked on several other antique vehicles, for which he did much machining, making parts no longer available.

Roger was a lifetime member of National Rifle Association and was a devoted supporter of the Second Amendment Foundation. An outspoken Conservative, he was seldom without an opinion politically.

In addition to his immediate family, he is survived by his sister, Carol Jo Schoch of Waco, Texas; brother- and sister-in-law, Greg and Lynnette Wirth White of Pana; brother-in-law, Jim (Sue) Webster of Asheboro, N.C.; nieces and nephews, Tim (Tina) Webster of Randleman, N.C., Chris (Jenny) Webster of Collierville, Tenn., Scott (Jamie) White of Rock City, Erin (Jeff) Cates of Seagraves, Texas, and Denise (Mike) Lamoreux Clenney of Marshall, Mich.; and several grandnieces and -nephews. Preceding him in death were his parents, brother- and sisters-in-law, Denny and Beverly Wirth Lamoreux and Barbara Wirth Webster, and nephews, Jeff Webster, Todd Peck and Shawn Lamoreux.

Visitation will be held from 1:30 to 3 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 3, 2015, at Daughenbaugh Funeral Home in Dakota. A memorial service will follow at 3 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home.

A memorial fund has been established in his name.