Joseph Daniel "Joe" Vogel

Joseph Daniel Vogel, 73, of Battle Creek, Michigan died peacefully on February 2, 2024, at Friendship Village in Kalamazoo, Michigan.

Joe was born May 12, 1950, in Chillicothe, Ohio to Jack Rhinehart and Dorothy Jane (Yurko) Vogel. In 1957 he moved to Battle Creek with his family. During high school, Joe was employed as a supervisor in the mechanical gym area of the former Battle Creek Sanitarium. Joe was a 1969 graduate of Battle Creek Central High School. After high school, he joined the United States Army Reserve for five years. Joe was hired by Don Butler at Redwood & Ross Men’s Clothing Store and was employed there from 1971 until 2000, when the store closed. During that time, Joe worked as a salesperson and store manager. He also was employed at Lakeview Square Mall managing the kiosk devices and then at Golf U.S.A. 

Joe met the love of his life, Jan in 1968 on a blind date. Joseph Daniel Vogel and Janice Karin Whitcomb were united in marriage at St. Joseph Catholic Church on August 20, 1971. They were married for 52 years. Surviving are his wife, Jan; son, Jake (Heather) Vogel of Huntington Woods, MI; daughter, Jessica Crane of Battle Creek; a granddaughter, Taylor Crane; siblings, Jack (Jeri) Vogel of Battle Creek, Jim (Sue) Vogel of Paw Paw, MI, Jerry (Wendy) Vogel of Battle Creek, Jeff (Angie) Vogel of Michigan City, Jayne (Dave) Baker of Battle Creek, Josh (Lora) Vogel of Dadeville, AL, Jay (Venessa) Vogel of Bloomingdale, OH, Jeanne (Jeff) Cebelak of Huntsville, AL;  nieces, nephews and their families. Joe was preceded in death by his parents.

Joe was a former parishioner at St. Philip Catholic Church, Augusta VFW 7956 and American Legion Post #298 in Battle Creek. Joe enjoyed camping, playing cards and games with family and friends. He enjoyed traveling and being Jan’s chauffeur. He loved spending time with his family, being together at the Long Lake family cottage in Cloverdale, MI. Joe will be remembered for his outgoing personality, kindness to others, his sense of humor, great engaging smile, and love of family.

A gathering to celebrate Joe’s life will be held at the American Legion Post #298, 228 North 20^th Street, Springfield, MI 49037, from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Wednesday, February 7, 2024. 

Memorial contributions may be made to Humane Society of Southwest Michigan, 2500 Watkins Road, Battle Creek, MI 49015 or Down Syndrome Association of West Michigan, 160 68th St SW Ste. 110, Grand Rapids, MI 49548.

Arrangements are by Farley Estes Dowdle Funeral Cremation Preneed Care. The family has put together a tribute video for Joe at https://vimeo.com/911329431. Personal messages for the family may be placed at www.farleyestesdowdle.com.