Gustave “Gus”  Vogel

Gustave “Gus” Vogel, age 89, of Grand Rapids, formerly of Palm Harbor, Florida, passed away peacefully on Saturday, August 23, 2014 and went to be with his Heavenly Father.  Gus proudly served our country during WWII as a paratrooper in the U.S. Army 82nd Airborne Division.  He was an avid sailor, sailing his Sunfish sailboat on Lake Tarpon until he was 83 years old.  Gus was known for his partnership in bringing the Gaithers, Doug Oldham and others to West Michigan for Gospel Music Festivals.  He loved his family, helping people, exercising, and socializing.   He was preceded in death by his wife, Audrey; daughter, Lisa Groot; grandson, Chad Vogel; and great grandson, Louis Sorrelle.  He will be lovingly remembered by his son, Greg and Brenda Vogel; daughter, Tami and Carl DeWeerd; son-in-law, Bob and Marianne Groot; 12 grandchildren, Eric and Maureen Vogel, Brett Vogel, Amy Vogel, Kate and Matt Bush, Alisha and Jon Middel, Jordan and Nycki Groot, Kelsey and Matt Armstrong, McKenzie Groot, Jayda Groot, Derek and Julie DeWeerd, Mallory and Jon Hasseler, Laci and Paul Sorrelle; 8 great grandchildren; mother of his children, Dorothy Vogel; many nieces and nephews; sisters, Marguerite Lane, Harriet and Jim Meekhof, Dorothy and Ron Vanden Bosch, Marguerite and Roger Griffioen; brother, Nelvin and Corinne Vogel.  A private memorial service will be held for the immediate family.  Relatives and friends may meet the family Tuesday from 5-8 PM at Matthysse-Kuiper-DeGraaf Funeral Home (Grandville) 4145 Chicago Drive SW.  The family wishes to thank the staff of Sheldon Meadows Assisted Living Center for their loving care of Gus during his journey with dementia.  Those who wish may make memorial contributions to Spectrum Health Hospice.