DEATH: Jerold Vogt, 63

Jerold Vogt, co-owner of Vogt?s HomeTown Market and a participant in the Vogt family grocery business in Hillsboro for more than a half-century, died Sunday night at his home.

He was 63.

The cause of death is believed to be a heart attack. Vogt had been battling cancer in recent years.

The Vogt family entered the grocery business in 1932, when Frank D. Vogt and his six sons opened Vogt?s Cash Grocery in the 100 block of East Grand.

When Frank Vogt died of a heart attack, three of the brothers, Arnold, Albert and John, took over the business and renamed it Vogt Brothers Grocery.

After two of the brothers, Arnold and Albert, died in the early 1960s of heart ailments, Jerold Vogt took over management of the produce section at age 18. When his father, John, died suddenly two years later, the younger Vogt took charge of the store. He purchased it from his mother in 1974.

Continuing the family tradition, wife Karleen and sons Todd and John entered the business in the ensuing years at the traditional East Grand location.

The family eventually formed JTJ Inc. and broke ground in February 2003 for a new store located in Hillsboro Heights. They celebrated the grand opening one year later with son Todd as store manager.

In addition to work, Vogt was involved in a variety of community activities. He had a passion for sports and was active for many years as a leader in the Hap Dumont baseball program, including the state level. Vogt was an avid golfer and rolled three 300 games as a bowler.

At the recent June 26 celebration of Hillsboro?s 125th, Vogt represented his uncle, Arnold, in the public recognition of present and former mayors. Arnold Vogt served as mayor during the 1950s.

In addition to wife Karleen and sons Todd and John, he is survived by daughter-in-law Shawna and four grandchildren.

Services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, July 9, at Hillsboro Mennonite Brethren Church, 300 Prairie Pointe, Hillsboro, with pastors Dave Plett and Clint Seibel officiating. Burial will precede the service at 10 a.m. at Hillsboro Mennonite Brethren Cemetery.

Visitation is from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday, July 8, at Jost Funeral Home, Hillsboro.

He was born Sept. 21, 1945, to John F. and Fern Vogt in Goessel. On Sept. 5, 1965, he was married to Karleen (Regier) Vogt, who survives.

Other survivors include mother Fern Vogt Unruh of Hillsboro; sons Todd and Shawna Vogt of Hillsboro and John Vogt of Norton; sister Joanne and Harvey Foyle of Emporia and four grandchildren.

Memorials may be made to Hillsboro Mennonite Brethren Church and sent in care of Jost Funeral Home, 401 S. Washing?ton, Hillsboro, KS 67063.

Condolences may be sent to the family via jost@jostfuneralhome.com.

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