Bruce Voges

 ‘A LIFE WELL LIVED’, Bruce Voges, 98, of Saint Joseph, IL, passed away at his home on Monday, June 3, 2024, at 1:25PM. Bruce was surrounded by family and friends and he left this earth as peacefully as the day he was born.  He was reunited with his wife, Katie, and got to meet Jesus.

 

Bruce was born in Terre Haute, IN on April 28, 1926, in the family home.  He left school early, lied about his age, and enlisted in the US Navy at the age of 17. He served this great country for 21 years, retiring as a Senior Chief Petty Officer.  He served in the Pacific Theater during WWII and continued his service throughout the Korean War.  At the Battle of Iwo Jima, his landing ship, the LST725, was the first successful LST to reach the beach. 

 

On June, 12, 1954, Bruce married Kathryn Wehlage (Katie).  They had three children, Mike (Tami) Voges of Saint Joseph, Michele (Terry) Lawhead of Saint Joseph, and Tim (Sherri) Voges of Urbana.  Bruce was happily married until Katie’s passing in 2011.

 

Bruce was blessed with five grandchildren, Jessi (Jon) Wrench, Jonah (Kelsey) Lawhead, August Voges, Mason (Karee) Voges, Jordan (Jennifer) Lawhead, six great grandchildren, Liam and Briella Wrench, Pierce and Sawyer Lawhead, Lincoln and Hudson Lawhead.

 

After Bruce’s retirement from the Navy, his family moved to Ogden, IL.  He worked for Magnavox in Urbana just prior to it relocating.  He made a decision to not move the family again and accepted a position as a bank teller at The First National Bank of Ogden. Over the course of his career at the bank, he advanced to the position of bank president before retiring in 1988.  Bruce and Katie, along with Rosie and Don Hayn, also owned and operated the Lincoln House Restaurant in Ogden , a food staple back in the day.

 

In his retirement years Bruce stayed very active.  In addition to his awesome woodworking skills, he helped out extensively with the original renovation of the Vermillion County War Museum. In 2000, Bruce, along with 26 other Navy veterans, average age 72, went to Greece, and brought back to life an old WWII landing ship.  The LST was made sea worthy after over six months of work by these men, and eventually sailed back across the Atlantic to The United States.  He was the Chief Boatswain  on the voyage and was affectionately known as ‘Boats’ by all who served with him.  Boats was instrumental in the continued care and restoration of the LST over the years.   LST325 is currently a working WWII museum ship moored in Evansville, IN.

 

In recent years, Bruce truly loved his quiet corner on Grand Ave.  Sitting in his garage with the door up, many who drove by honked or waved.  People walked by, kids rode bikes and waved, and runners called out during early morning runs.  Many stopped to visit.  Strangers became friends.  Neighbors were treasured .  Every Halloween, kids and families were treated to pizza and hot dogs.  He even dressed in creative costumes with a special family friend.  He really enjoyed mowing and even did so a few days after his recent 98th birthday.  Religiously playing pinocle almost daily with his three kids, every win was tallied.  Thankfully, Bruce won his last games two days before he passed.

 

The family will greet friends for two hours beginning at 10AM, on July 6, at  Freese Funeral Home, Saint Joseph, IL.   A procession to Mount Olive Cemetery, Mayview, IL, for a Military Honor burial will be at noon.  All are encouraged to attend the military services at the cemetery as Bruce had specific requests for his final farewell to friends and family.  A celebration will immediately follow at the home of Tim and Sherri.

 

In lieu of flowers, a donation may be made in Bruce’s name to the USS LST325 Ship Memorial.  610 NW Riverside Dr. Evansville, IN, 47708 or SJO Constitution Team

“We the People”, St. Joseph-Ogden High School, 301 N. Main St., St. Joseph, IL.  61873.

 

‘Fair Winds and Following Seas”