Joanne Vogel
Joanne Vogel (Baggs)

February 3, 1926 — January 10, 2015 (88 years old)
Hometown: Bellefontaine, OH
February 3, 1926 — January 10, 2015
(88 years old) | Bellefontaine, OH

Life Story

Joanne (Baggs) Vogel was born Feb. 3, 1926 to John and Jeannette (Williams) Baggs.  She had 2 sisters and 1 brother--Betty McAtee (deceased), Don Baggs (deceased) and Christine Herring.  Her parents also raised a niece of Joanne's who was like a sister to her, Janice (Baggs) Chang (deceased).

Joanne grew up in the Lakeview, New Hampshire area. A mutual friend (Betty Young) introduced Joanne to George Edward Vogel of St. Marys, Ohio while they were all at the Wapak Fair.  George was in the army at the time and he asked Joanne to ride the tiltawhirl with him.  They talked and visited for about 1 1/2 hr. then they had to leave.  George told those he was with someday"I'm gonna marry her"   He sent word thru their friend (Betty Young ) that he wanted to write to her. Joanne agreed she wanted to do just that.   For the next year and a half they wrote 1 -2 times weekly.  George let her know in his letters his intent to marry her.  Once he got out of the service they did get married on March 15, 1946.    They had six children--3 girls, 3 boys --Connie, Jup (George Jr.) , Judy, Jeff, Tammy, and Don.  George was a sheet metal worker and Joanne was a Housewife and Mother all her life.

They lived around Logan County all their married life. When George died in 1998 Joanne lived alone in their apartment for 1 1/2 years when it became apparent she could no longer reside alone.  She then moved in with daughter and son-in-law (Tammy and Mike Miller).She lived with them for 12 years. Then it became apparent another move was necessary--this time to Green Hills Care Center in West Liberty.  She was under hospice care for 2 years then passed away on Jan. 10, 2015.   During her 2 years at Green Hills she went thru the death of daughter (Connie) also a resident of Green Hills, sister--Betty, and her niece -Janice.  One day while visiting Mom  she informed me she seen Connie and her Dad.(Both already died).  She told me what a pretty dress Connie was wearing.  It was a very special vision to her.   I myself was thinking she must be getting close to the end herself.  She lingered on another year after that.  There were many precious memories made that last 2 years that will be cherished forever in our hearts. Her suffering for so long when we all couldn't understand "why" was not in vain, for it brought about a healing within many family relationships.  I believe today Mom is smiling down on them all.