WLKM Radio 95.9 FM
Gerald Disney Vogt, age 88, of Klinger Lake, Sturgis, passed away early Thursday morning, Feb. 20, 2014, at his home.
He was born May 19, 1925, in Sturgis, a son of the late John W. and Olive Caroline (Disney) Vogt.
Jerry was a lifelong Sturgis resident and a graduate of Sturgis High School with the class of 1944. He continued his education at Michigan State University, where he graduated in 1950.
On Aug. 12, 1952, he married Mary Wright in Sturgis.
Jerry owned and operated Vogt’s Floral in Sturgis, which was a partnership he enjoyed with his father his entire working life. The business was founded in 1911.
He was an active member of First Presbyterian Church in Sturgis, where he served as an elder. He was a past member of Sturgis Rotary Club and served on the Oak Lawn Cemetery Board, Economic Development Board and White Pigeon Sanitation Board.
Jerry was proud to have served his country in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II.
He was an avid tennis player and loved landscape design and his 22 years of retired living at Klinger Lake.
He is survived by his wife, Mary; three daughters, Ann Christine Vogt of New York, N.Y., Mary Elizabeth Vogt of Chicago and Mrs. Richard (Amy) Clausing of Ridgewood, N.J.; two grandchildren, Beth Clausing and John Clausing and two nieces and a nephew.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and a brother, John W. Vogt Jr.
In accordance with his wishes, cremation has taken place. A memorial service celebrating the life of Gerald D. Vogt will be held at 11 a.m. Monday at First Presbyterian Church in Sturgis. The Rev. Michael Wicks will officiate. Full military honors will be conferred by Captain John J. Kelley Post #1355 VFW and the U.S. Army Honor Guard. Private placement of the ashes will be in the First Presbyterian Columbarium.
The Hackman Chapel of Hackman Family Funeral Homes, 114 S. Nottawa St., Sturgis, is entrusted with the arrangements.
The family suggests those wishing to make a memorial donation in Mr. Vogt’s memory consider the First Presbyterian garden fund, 1320 S. Lakeview Ave., Sturgis, MI 49091.
His obituary is also at www.hackmanfamilyfuneralhome.com, where personal messages of support may be left for the family.
