Betty J. Vogel

Words that describe Betty Vogel include: sweet, kind, devoted, and generous. Not to mention: stubborn, talkative, and at times, challenging. But also: fun-loving, adventurous, humorous, smart, mischievous, strong, forward-looking, supportive, forgiving, consistent, resilient, and lovely. Betty Jane Mayo was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma on May 4, 1929 to Fred & Marion Mayo. Tulsa was a relatively brief stopover for the new family as Fred worked in the chrome plating industry there for a time. Betty also lived for a short period of her early days in Cleveland, Ohio – but primarily spent the majority of her life in and around Grand Rapids, Michigan. Betty was the oldest child of siblings Barb, Shirley, Joan (Peachy), Mary-Lou (Midge), and Fred (Pete). Betty’s sibling count increased by two more brothers (Chuck & Jack) when Marion was remarried to Charles (Charlie) Smith. Betty always described Charlie as the greatest of stepdads. Betty attended Union High School in Grand Rapids where she played the saxophone in the school’s marching band and in a swing band that would play during lunch programs or at nighttime dances. On many occasions she would recount the challenge of hauling her saxophone up and down the steep Michigan street hill on her way to and from school. She graduated from Union in 1947. Betty met Harry Vogel in 1947. They were married in May of 1948. Following a brief move to California, they returned to Grand Rapids where they raised six children: Linda, Steve, Peggy, Mike, Tom, & Sally. During her kids’ formative years, Betty often played a part in girls & boys scouting and in the PTA. In later years Betty & Harry joyfully welcomed grandchildren Sean, Chris, Nick J., Emily, Dylan, Nick W., Jordan, Jesse, and one great-grandchild, Cruzita, into their lives. Betty started her own successful home based business in the 1970’s. This allowed her to work from home, close to her family, while still being engaged in a money making venture. She was also on the cutting edge of technology when she taught microwave cooking classes at the time when microwave ovens were a new commodity in the marketplace. Many of these classes were taught alongside Louella Bing - her dear friend of over ‘70’ years! In retirement years Betty & Harry played senior softball on a mixed league over multiple seasons. Betty also played on her church team with women who were predominately many years her junior. This fact demonstrated her spirit and attitude, as she seemed unfazed and undeterred by this reality. During this time in their life, Betty & Harry were able to escape the Michigan winters and travel to California and Florida in order to spend time with family and friends over a twenty-five year period. Betty & Harry had been married for nearly 64 years at the time of Harry’s passing in 2012. In the final decade of her life, Betty resided on the island of Maui in Hawaii in close proximity to three of her children, their spouses, and a couple of her grandchildren. As age and illness began to weigh upon her in later years, Betty demonstrated her amazing strength and resilience again and again. Betty passed away peacefully at her residence on Maui on March 19, 2022. Betty was preceded in death by her husband Harry J. Vogel and daughter Peggy Ann Wheaton. She is survived by her children Linda Harris (John Comte), Steve Vogel (Gilda), Mike Vogel (Suzan), Tom Vogel (Nancy Wanroy), & Sally Irwin (Tom James) – along with her grandchildren, three brothers, numerous nieces, nephews, and other extended family and friends. The family will greet friends July 23, 2022 from 1:00 pm until time of celebration of her life at 2:00 pm at the Bliss-Witters & Pike Funeral Home, 13603 Northland Dr., Cedar Springs, MI 49319. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the following association in Betty’s name: The Association for the Blind at www.abvimichigan.org or by calling (616) 458-1187.