Duane James “Skip” Rodgers, 55, of Danville, passed away at 8:40 p.m. on Friday, July 11, 2025, at Carle Hospice in Urbana.

He was born February 16, 1970, to Linda Rodgers. On April 22, 1970, Linda married Stephen Cotten, who raised Duane as his own.

Skip attended Danville schools and worked many jobs in the Danville area including, The Commercial-News, Danville Manor Nursing Home, Courtesy Ford, ESTAD Stamping, and most recently Sarge’s Tap. He enjoyed collecting eclectic objects and making canes and walking sticks. He was a music lover, and you would often see him doing karaoke in many different bars around town.

Skip was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Clifford and Charlotte Cotten; his maternal grandparents, Howard and Viola Rodgers; and father, Stephen Cotten.

He is survived by his daughter, Brittany Rodgers; granddaughter, Aidryanna Parsons; mother, Linda Cotten; brothers, Stephen (Kim) Cotten II, Jason (Sharon) Cotten; sister, Tammy (fiancé Kyle Borst) Cotten; and several cousins, nieces and nephews.

A graveside service will be held on Monday, July 21, 2025, at 3:00 p.m. CDT, 4:00 p.m. EDT, at Mt. Hope Cemetery, 11 S. Stringtown Rd. Covington, IN 47932.

A celebration of life will be held immediately following the graveside services at Sarges Tap, 409 E. Main St. Danville, IL 61832.

A special thanks to Wanda West for looking out for Skip through all those years and to hospice nurse Tanya Sullivan for the compassion shown to Duane in his time of need.

One of Skip’s favorite expressions was:

“Love you today”

“Love you tomorrow”

“Love you forever”

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Duane James "Skip" Rodgers, please visit our floral store.