- Date Of Birth: July 8, 1923
- Date Of Death: May 27, 2020
- State: Illinois
Ralph H. “Bud” Vogel, 96, of Centralia, passed away Wednesday, May 27, 2020, at Centralia Manor. Ralph was born July 8, 1923, in Irishtown Township, IL (Keyesport, IL), the son of William Leroy Vogel and Mabel Lillian (Hensley) Vogel.
He married Vivian L. (Myers) Vogel in September of 1945 while home on a ten-day leave from the Army. She survives him in Centralia.
In addition to his wife, Vivian Vogel of seventy-four years, he is survived by his son: Mark Vogel and wife Pam of Centralia; one daughter: Lillian A. Maddox of Phoenix, AR; one brother: Robert L. Vogel and wife Irlene; two grandchildren: Kerri Grooms and husband Chris of Suwanee, GA and Jarred Maddox and wife Maribeth of Phoenix, AR; five great-grandchildren: April Grooms, Kayla Grooms, Paige Grooms, Timothy Maddox, and Sia Maddox; and one sister-in-law: Rosemary Myers.
He was preceded in death by his parents Roy and Lillie Vogel, son-in-law: Donald Maddox, in addition to several other in-laws and several nieces and nephews.
Ralph grew up on a farm near Keyesport. He graduated from Keyesport Sr. High School. He was drafted into the army in April 1945 and sent to Ft. Knox, KY for basic training. He was then sent to Ft. Riley, KS, and then on to Camp Adair, OR. He was then transferred to Okinawa where he served in the 1577th heavy engineering Maintenance. He was discharged in 1946 having served as Sgt. Technician (T4) as supply sergeant. After returning home, he worked for the Illinois Central Railroad as a Carman Helper for twenty-seven years. He was a member of the Faith United Methodist Church where he was an usher for many years and a member of the Sunday School Class. He also belonged to VFW, AARP, and the NARVRE. He even was a well-known Walmart Greeter for a time in Centralia. He established the Red Coat program at St. Mary’s Hospital in Centralia with his good friend Hubert Gherardini. He was also a volunteer at Teen Town.
