Roger Dale Gaedike, 49 of O'Fallon, MO, formerly of Troy, MO, passed away unexpectedly on July 6, 2012.

He was born on November 25, 1962, at Lincoln County Memorial Hospital, in Troy, a child of Carlos and Margaret (Norton) Gaedike.

After attending the local schools, Roger graduated from Troy Buchanan High School in 1981. Following graduation, he worked for a medical distribution company as a warehouse supervisor for many years. Most recently he began working at Normandy Machine Shop here in Troy. Roger had remarked to his family that he loved going to work and wished he had been working there his whole life, because all of the employees were his friends from back in the day. Roger was an excellent photographer and many weekends he spent out in the wilderness, snapping pictures of old abandoned homes, bridges, or hidden creeks. When he was not taking pictures, he was hunting for arrowheads. Roger had a massive collection of Indian artifacts, arrowheads and tools that he found himself. That was his refuge, the woods, the wilderness, is where he found peace. He loved to joke and make people laugh, which is why he had so many friends. If he was your friend, then he was always your friend, and you could call him day or night.

Roger will be remembered lovingly by all those who knew him: his two daughters, Wendy Gaedike of O'Fallon,MO, and Raina Gaedike of Troy, his beloved mother; Margaret McElrath of O'Fallon; one grandson Julius Gaedike, and one grandson on-the-way, Javion D'Mario Dale Gaedike; his "life sister" Theresa Bean, and many other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his father, Carlos Gaedike, his step-father, James Silvester, his cousin Larry McElrath, and many close friends.