Wilfred H. Vogel, Jr. (Fred), a resident of Neshaminy Manor in Warrington (PA) was called home to the Lord on April 25, 2020. Born on November 3, 1929, Fred was raised in Fox Chase (PA) by his parents Edna (Bergemann) Vogel and Wilfred H. Vogel Sr. Throughout his youth, Fred attended Bethany Baptist Church (Philadelphia) with his parents and his sister Doris (Vogel) Schloo. Fred met Josephine Avender, his beloved wife of almost 70 years, at Bethany Baptist. They were married on September 9, 1950. They raised five children, and delighted in their six grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

Fred is the beloved father of Janet (Vogel) Maiorana, Bob Vogel, Fred Vogel (predeceased), Ron Vogel, and Nancee (Vogel) Morelli; the grandfather of Rachel (Maiorana) Eastwood, Jessica (Maiorana) Milosky, Sherri (Vogel) Kurzweg, Shawnna (Vogel) Hillegass, Nick (Vogel) Morelli, and Anthony (Vogel) Morelli; and the great-grandfather of Sofia (Maiorana) Eastwood, Michaela (Maiorana) Eastwood, Kenzie (Vogel) Kurzweg, and Brynnli (Vogel) Hillegass. Fred was also a beloved uncle to his seven nieces and three nephews.

Fred often spoke fondly of his childhood years in Fox Chase, sharing warm memories of Christmas caroling with the youth group and playing his trumpet at Bethany's church services. In 1947, Fred graduated from Olney (Philadelphia) High School, where he played first trumpet for the marching band in his senior year. Each morning before school, Fred traveled by trolley to put in an extra hour of practice for this coveted position. Fred's love of music ranged from favorite hymns to patriotic marches. He enjoyed watching Lawrence Welk and, more recently, the Gaither Gospel Hour with Josephine. Music was a lifelong love that always brought Fred great joy.To provide for his family, Fred worked 35 years as a switchman at Bell Telephone. He also was a skilled carpenter, specializing in cabinet making. During the early years of their marriage, Fred and Jo settled in Levittown (PA) where they became founding members of Faith Baptist Church in Fairless Hills. At Faith Baptist, Fred actively witnessed and enjoyed playing on the church bowling and baseball teams. As a young man, Fred used his construction skills to help build several churches. Undeterred by heights, Fred was not afraid to climb a church roof to raise a steeple into the heavens.

In later years, Fred helped build his parents' vacation home in Perth, Ontario, Canada, where many wonderful family memories were made fishing and boating on Bennett Lake. For Josephine and his children and grandchildren, Fred built two beautiful custom homes in Bucks County (PA). After moving to Central Bucks, Fred and Jo attended Doylestown Baptist Church, where Fred often ushered. During the Korean War years, Fred joined the Navy Reserves. He was stationed locally at the Willow Grove (PA) Naval Air Station. Fred was proud to have served his country, and his family stands equally proud of his military service.

With children grown and Fred retired from construction and Bell Telephone, Fred and Jo moved to Asheville (NC). Together they enjoyed scenic rides along the Blue Ridge Parkway and nature hikes in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Fred's love of nature began in his youth, when he spent countless happy hours trapping for pocket change and ice skating with friends on the Pennypack Creek. Fred learned to hunt alongside his father Wilfred Sr. and would later share this love with his eldest son Bob, now an avid hunter. Father and son shared many years deer hunting together, and even traveled to Quebec to hunt black bear. After a few years in Asheville, Fred and Jo moved back to Pennsylvania to care for Fred's aging parents. Although Fred missed the South, he and Jo continued to enjoy scenic mountain drives to Jim Thorpe (PA), the beautiful gateway to the Poconos.

After settling in the Lehigh Valley with Jo and his parents, Fred found two perfect part-time jobs: Builder's Square (Reading, PA) and Lowe's (Quakertown, PA). Fred thoroughly enjoyed using his construction knowledge to help his customers. Before retiring from Lowe's, Fred received the "Old Yeller" award, recognizing him for his faithfulness as the oldest Lowe's employee in United States at that time.

Fred was a loyal man with a strong work ethic. His strong Christian faith built his character and shored him for life's storms. Over the years, Fred and Jo enjoyed watching Billy Graham and Robert Schuller. Following hip surgery after a bad fall a few years ago, Fred and Jo moved to Neshaminy Manor, where Jo continues to reside. In his last years, Fred courageously faced difficult health trials armed with his faith. Fred's Christian walk was challenging, inspiring, and blessed. Fred had a loving wife and family and work he truly enjoyed. In his final years, his love of God and Josephine sustained and transformed him. God helped Fred slowly let go of self so he could deeply and unconditionally love Josephine through her dementia until God called him home.

While at Neshaminy Manor, Fred made caring friends among staff and residents. He actively participated in Veteran's trips, music programs such as the Doylestown Heat rehearsals, and Bingo. He also volunteered each Wednesday reading the morning and afternoon announcements. Donations may be made in his memory to Neshaminy Manor, Activities Fund, c/o Jane Schreiber, Director of Activities, 1660 S. Easton Rd, Warrington, PA 18976. A private memorial service will be held for Fred at Kirk and Nice Suburban Chapel, 333 W. County Line Rd., Huntingdon Valley, PA, on Friday, July 24th at 11:00 am. We encourage family and friends to share memories through thoughts and photographs on Fred's memorial website. Thank you for your kind remembrances.