Obituaries

Rogers, Monte "Curly" Jerome, aged 94, formerly of Dayton, KY, passed away on Sunday, November 16th, 2025. Curly was born in 1931 in Sanfordtown, KY, and after graduating from Dixie Heights High School, he served his country as a member of the US Marine Corp. Following his service, he began his trade as a builder. Learning the trade from several mentors, he would go on to use the skills he acquired to construct homes for countless families and provide guidance to other hopeful builders. The love for his craft and notably fervent work ethic fueled his nearly 60 yearlong career, with numerous custom homes, subdivisions, and apartment complexes to show for it. After his (formal) retirement, Curly continued working part-time for Piercefield Truss Company and managing the multiple apartment rentals he built with his wife, Helen. Additionally, he was committed to his community and served on the Planning and Zoning Board of Dayton, KY for 35+ years (25 of which he acted as chairman). His passion for construction animated his life, always eager to field questions on how to best build a new patio, or jokes about the dimensions of the nursing home room where he would spend his final days. He had several passions outside of work, including his love for traveling and exploring the American West portrayed in his favorite movies-Westerns. He enjoyed gardening, riding his tractor, old country music, and UK basketball. He was a man of habit, and one of those reflexes was his unwavering kindness. He joked with anyone and everyone, content only when he put a smile on someone's face or heard the trill of their laughter. His genial manner meant he was always making new friends, even on his last day. Curly is preceded in death by his loving wife who passed this June, Helen (née Dehnert), as well as his mother Helen Merkle Rogers, father Chester Rogers, and brother Gerald "Teenie" Rogers. He is survived and sorely missed by his daughter, Michele Rogers Beck, son-in-law, Mike, and grandchildren, Emma and Nick. Services will be held at Dobbling Funeral Home in Ft. Thomas, KY on November 29th, 2025. Visitation is 10-12 and will be followed by blessing and burial at St. Stephen Cemetery in Ft. Thomas, KY. In lieu of flowers, please make donations in his name to Meals on Wheels of Southwest OH/NKY (2091 Radcliff Dr. Cincinnati, OН 45202. Dobbling, Muehlenkamp-Erschell caring for the Rogers family.