Roger L. Tatro

Roger L. Tatro, 84, of Bourbonnais passed away peacefully on Wednesday, February 19, 2025, at Riverside Medical Center in Kankakee. He was born on August 24, 1940, at his grandmother’s house in St. Anne, IL, the son of Winford and Helen (Betz) Tatro. On December 1, 1962, Roger married his amazing wife, Phyllis J. Guritz of Peotone, at St. Luke’s United Church of Christ in Beecher IL.

After graduating from Momence High School, he worked as a purchasing agent for A.O. Smith for 30 years until the plant closed. Then worked for Henkel Corporation for 3 ½ years and then was hired on at Ace Hardware Paint Division in Matteson IL for 13 ½ years before retiring in 2006.

Roger enjoyed boating and fishing and was a member of the Muskie Maulers. He collected diecast cars and has over 600 displayed in his basement, his favorite being the 1956 Oldsmobile. Roger never met a stranger he couldn’t talk to and would share his life stories with anyone who would listen. He enjoyed tinkering with cars and was a master repairman of all things. He enjoyed spending time with his family, sitting in the driveway talking with his neighbors and his weekly drive to St. Anne for a pork tenderloin sandwich and chocolate malted milkshake. 

Surviving is his beloved wife of 62 years, Phyllis J. Tatro of Bourbonnais; his children, Brian (Paula Porter) Tatro of Bloomington IL, Lori (Les) Mezo of Bradley and Derek (Kathy Banson) Tatro of Punta Gorda, FL.; grandchildren, Taylor (Jacob) Mezo, Noah (Lexee) Tatro and Aidan Tatro, 2 sisters-in-law Mona Mae Cantone of Peotone and Robin Weybright of Momence; and several nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. 

Preceding him in death were his parents and brother Jack Tatro. 

Visitation will be from 1:00 p.m.-5:00 pm on Sunday March 2, at Fedde-Helfrich-Cross Funeral Home in Peotone. Funeral services will be held at Fedde-Helfrich-Cross Funeral Home on Monday, March 3 at 10:30 a.m. with additional visitation time from 9:30 a.m. to the time of service. Burial will immediately follow at St. Luke’s Cemetery in Beecher IL. 

Memorials may be made to the wishes of the family. 

Share a memory at www.feddehelfrichcrossfh.com