Kevin Rooker
October 14, 1958 - January 01, 2026
Obituary
Kevin Mark Rooker, age 67, of Saginaw, Michigan, passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, January 1, 2026. The son of Jacqueline Helena “Jackie” and Donald Rooker, Kevin was born October 14, 1958, in Saginaw, Michigan. He married his soulmate and the love of his life, William “Bill” Ostash, on July 18th, 2019, but they have been partners in life for more than 21.5 years.
Kevin was born in Saginaw, and he loved the city almost as much as he loved Bill. He worked tirelessly to make the community a better place for everyone. He was on countless boards the Saginaw Public School Board, Saginaw Depot Preservation, Saginaw Economic Development Committee, Historic District Commission, and countless others. He personally installed more than a dozen historic signs in his beloved neighborhood, the Cathedral district.
Kevin graduated from Douglas MacArthur high school in 1977, graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Geography and Conservation Science & Environmental education from Michigan State University in 1994, and obtained a Master's degree in Teaching from Marygrove College in 2002. Kevin loved teaching, working on his home (The Wolfarth House), baking, and improving his community.
Kevin always asked Bill, “What is going to be your Legacy”, and we now know what Kevin's legacy is and the whole community of Saginaw will benefit from his passion for this city.
Kevin is survived by his loving husband, Bill Ostash; siblings, Jeff (Gigi) Rooker and Cindy (Todd) O'Connor; nephew and nieces, Kyle (Randi) O'Connor, Nicole (Curtis) Brown, and Sara (Devin) Craves; eight great nieces and nephews; several cousins, colleagues, and dear friends.
Visitation will take place Friday, January 9, 2026, from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Fischer Family Funeral Home, 504 N. Michigan Avenue, Saginaw, Michigan 48602.
For those that can not make the visitation we will have a candlelight vigil on Thursday, January 8, at 6pm at Weadock park.
Memorials in honor of Kevin may be made to Great Lakes Bay PRIDE at www.greatlakesbaypride.org.
For information, please call Fischer Family Funeral Services at (989) 755-8277. To express your condolences and share your memories, please visit www.fischerfuneral.com
Kevin was born in Saginaw, and he loved the city almost as much as he loved Bill. He worked tirelessly to make the community a better place for everyone. He was on countless boards the Saginaw Public School Board, Saginaw Depot Preservation, Saginaw Economic Development Committee, Historic District Commission, and countless others. He personally installed more than a dozen historic signs in his beloved neighborhood, the Cathedral district.
Kevin graduated from Douglas MacArthur high school in 1977, graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Geography and Conservation Science & Environmental education from Michigan State University in 1994, and obtained a Master's degree in Teaching from Marygrove College in 2002. Kevin loved teaching, working on his home (The Wolfarth House), baking, and improving his community.
Kevin always asked Bill, “What is going to be your Legacy”, and we now know what Kevin's legacy is and the whole community of Saginaw will benefit from his passion for this city.
Kevin is survived by his loving husband, Bill Ostash; siblings, Jeff (Gigi) Rooker and Cindy (Todd) O'Connor; nephew and nieces, Kyle (Randi) O'Connor, Nicole (Curtis) Brown, and Sara (Devin) Craves; eight great nieces and nephews; several cousins, colleagues, and dear friends.
Visitation will take place Friday, January 9, 2026, from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Fischer Family Funeral Home, 504 N. Michigan Avenue, Saginaw, Michigan 48602.
For those that can not make the visitation we will have a candlelight vigil on Thursday, January 8, at 6pm at Weadock park.
Memorials in honor of Kevin may be made to Great Lakes Bay PRIDE at www.greatlakesbaypride.org.
For information, please call Fischer Family Funeral Services at (989) 755-8277. To express your condolences and share your memories, please visit www.fischerfuneral.com
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Memories
SS
Steve Shippy
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Steve Shippy planted a Memorial Tree in honor of Kevin Mark Rooker.
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Barb Noyes-Stark
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Bill, we were stunned to see the news about Kevin’s passing. I struggle to remember when I first met Kevin but I do remember that it was likely at a Christmas Progressive Dinner that included the Wolfarth House. John and I send out deepest sympathy to you. We will remember him fondly.
JK
Jacob Krenz
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Jacob Krenz purchased the Red Rose And Lily Floor Basket for the family of Kevin Mark Rooker.
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The Dark Sisters
Other •
The Dark Sisters purchased the Fields of Europe for the family of Kevin Mark Rooker.
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Frances Ham Zackrie
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Prayers and Condolences to the entire family.
DP
Daniel Vorwerck and Ellen Pond
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Daniel Vorwerck and Ellen Pond purchased the Peaceful Wishes for the family of Kevin Mark Rooker.