Eugene Lee “Gene” Vogan

June 25, 2018 Last Updated: June 25, 2018 02:00 AM Death Notice

Eugene Lee “Gene” Vogan passed away at his home in Worth Township, surrounded by his loving family, after a courageous battle with lung cancer.

Born Aug. 12, 1943, in Ellwood City, he was the son of Earl Eugene Vogan and Dorothy Elizabeth Cain Vogan.

He graduated from Slippery Rock High School in 1960. While serving in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1960 to 1964, he was stationed in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and Camp Lejeune, N.C., and was honorably discharged as a corporal in 1964.

Gene married Bonnie Lou Barkley on May 31, 1979.

He was employed by Ellwood City Forge as a crane and heavy equipment operator for 38 years, retiring in 2002. He attended the West Liberty United Methodist Church and enjoyed many hobbies such as hunting, fishing, attending truck and tractor pulls and auctions.

The thing that he enjoyed most in life was spending time with his family and was affectionately referred to as “G-Pa” by his loving grandchildren.

Survivors include his loving wife, Bonnie Lou Barkley Vogan; his sister, Delores Vogan Wolthers; four children, Michael (Renee) Vogan, Tracy (Brad Sr.) Weisenstein, Cathy (Bryan) Fuhs and Jason Vogan; 11 grandchildren, Bradley Weisenstein Jr., Nathan (Missy) Weisenstein, Caleb (Katie) Weisenstein, Craig Vogan, Curtis (Crystal) Vogan, Cayla Vogan, Brandon Fuhs, Ally (Tony) Young, Zach Fuhs, Seth Vogan and Cassandra Vogan; eight great-grandchildren, Emily Weisenstein, Aiden Young, Mateo Young, Chloe Vogan, Caylee Vogan, Landon Vogan, Nisha Tensley and Derrick Lambert.

In addition are his nieces, Denise Wolthers Jewell and Dorothy Wolthers Hamilton; and his nephew, Raymond Wolthers. He also is survived by his five honorary grandchildren, Emily Smith, Neil Smith, Abigail Smith, Jill Dittmer and Lisa Dittmer; and his loving little dog, Bailey.

He is preceded in death by his father; his mother; his first wife, Sandra Lee Wellman; and his brother-in-law, Harold Wolthers.

VOGAN — Family of Eugene Lee “Gene” Vogan, who died Wednesday, May 23, 2018, will receive friends from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Saturday and from 12:30 p.m. until funeral services at 1:30 p.m. Sunday at the Smith Funeral Home, 421 New Castle St., Slippery Rock. The Rev. Dan Miller, pastor of West Liberty United Methodist Church, will officiate.Interment will be at the Zion Baptist Cemetery in Worth Township.The family wanted to thank Butler Memorial Hospital, VNA Hospice, and Passavant Abundant Life Center.