Clarence Vogel

Clarence J. "Tony" Vogel, 87, of Cape Girardeau died Thursday, April 22, 2010, at Monticello House in Jackson.

He was born Dec. 16, 1922, in Slater, Mo., to Anton and Cecilia Marie Eicholz Vogel. He and Myrtle Ellen Butterfield were married July 24, 1950, in Cape Girardeau.

Tony worked for KFVS-TV and radio more than 40 years, first at the transmission tower on KFVS hill then at the radio antennas across the river where he observed the tornado of 1949. He then worked at the transmitter tower near Trail of Tears State Park, which when built was the tallest structure in the United States.

Mr. Vogel served in the U.S. Army during World War II in the 602 Tank Destroyer Battalion in Europe. He participated in campaigns in the Ardennes, Northern France, Rhineland and Central Europe. He earned the European Campaign Medal with four Bronze Stars, the American Campaign Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, and the European Victory Medal.

He loved to build model airplanes and bird houses and was an avid gardner.

He was a member of St. Mary Cathedral and the American Legion in Slater.

Survivors include his wife, Myrtle Ellen Vogel of Cape Girardeau; two sons, John (Helen) Vogel of Oxnard, Calif., Paul (Wanda) Vogel of Scott City; four daughters, Lora (Ed) Mueller of Waterloo, Ill., Mary (Ernie) Carson of Conway, Ark., Theresa (Stephen) Baugh of Jackson, Susan Burgener of Decatur, Ill.; and a brother, Eugene Vogel of Gladstone, Mo.

Also 14 grandchildren, Jimmy Ledesma, Lorina Yahatta, Katherine Vogel, Sarah Vogel, Brian Vogel, Chad Mueller, Lance Mueller, Rebecca Braun Young, Travis Braun, Kurt Braun, Josh Baugh, Beth Baugh, Allison Baugh, Caitlyn Burgener; and six great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Anton and Cecilia Marie Vogel; a brother, Edward Vogel; and his beloved dog, Kisses.

The funeral will be at 10 a.m. today at St. Mary Cathedral, with the Rev. Thomas Kiefer, the Rev. John Harth and Deacon Walter Biri officiating. Entombment will be in Cape County Memorial Park Mausoleum.

Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Memorial contributions may be given to St. Mary Building on Faith Fund.

Online condolences may be made at www.fordandsonsfuneralhome.com.