Mary Beth Vogt

Mary Beth Vogt, 95, of Jackson passed away Monday, Jan. 24, 2011, at Southeast Hospital.

She was born July 3, 1915, in Naylor, Mo., to Ivan and Mattie Simmons Marlin. She and Harry C. Vogt of Friedheim, Mo., were married May 24, 1941. He preceded her in death in 1996.

Mary Beth grew up in the Indian Creek area, graduating from the former Fruitland High School. She attended Southeast Missouri State College. She was an elementary teacher at the former Fruitland and Indian Creek elementary schools during World War II. She developed a lifelong friendship with many of her students.

The family moved to Ellington, Mo., in 1949. Mary Beth was active in the Ellington Methodist Church and served the church, community, and region as pianist or organist at many events. She was well-known as the community's favorite piano teacher.

Mary Beth was active in the Rotary Club, United Methodist Women and Senior Citizens. She introduced the Brownie and Girl Scout organization to Ellington in 1955. She also served as a den mother for the Cub Scouts.

Mary Beth returned to the Cape Girardeau area in 1982, residing in Jackson. She moved to Lutheran Home Assisted Living West in 2007. She was a member of the Literary Guild, New McKendree United Methodist Church and Naomi Circle.

Mary Beth enjoyed playing the piano and organ, writing poetry, oil painting, raising house and garden flowers, cooking, traveling and helping others.

She is survived by a son, Frederick (Pat) Vogt of Cape Girardeau; a daughter, Harriet (Larry) Martin of Jackson; four grandchildren, Dr. Eric (Jenny) Vogt of Jefferson City, Mo., Erin (Bobby) Brewer of Honolulu, Matthew (Evelyn) Martin of Cape Girardeau and Patrick (Savannah) Martin of Cape Girardeau; four great-grandchildren, Colten, Peyton, Trevor, and Dane Vogt of Jefferson City.

Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday at the chapel of McCombs Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Jackson.

The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Jimmy Corbin officiating. Burial will be in Cape County Memorial Park in Cape Girardeau.

Memorials may be made to New McKendree United Methodist Church in Jackson or Ellington United Methodist Church.

Sympathy messages may be sent to the family online at www.mccombsfuneralhome.com.