JOHN OTTO VOGEL was born 14 January 1927 in Chicago, Illinois, the third child of Mr. and Mrs. John W. Vogel of Elmhurst, Illinois. He graduated from York Community High School in Elmhurst and went to Elmhurst College for one year. He then enlisted and served for three months as a private at the Infantry Replacement Training Center before receiving notice of his appointment to West Point.

In July 1945, John entered the United States Military Academy, an appointee of Representative Chauncey W. Reed of Illinois' 11th Congressional District. The appointment was awarded on the basis of a competitive qualifying examination. John's interests at the Academy were varied: He was manager of the lacrosse team in his plebe year; active in the Chess, Skeet, and Ski Clubs; and a Sunday school teacher for three years. He attained the rank of sergeant in his first class year. John's roommate during plebe year wrote that John was a good and loyal friend and a wise counselor. He recalled that John always spoke the truth to the point of self-incrimination. The words in the Howitzer were to prove most prophetic: "Caring little for personal glory, he derived his greatest contentment from helping others, a trait that will win for him the deep and lasting admiration of his fellow men."
From the Academy, John was commissioned in the Coast Artillery Corps. He spent his first year in three successive school assignments as a student at the Ground General School, Fort Riley, Kansas: Anti-Aircraft Artillery Basic Course, Fort Bliss, Texas; and the Artillery School, Fort Sill, Oklahoma.

 While at Fort Riley, John went back to Illinois to marry Joan Elizabeth Pustaver of Waukegan, Illinois. on 12 November 1949. From Fort Sill, John was assigned to the 49th Field Artillery Battalion and served in the Division Artillery Air Section, Seventh Infantry Division, in the Korean War As a forward artillery observer, John was awarded the Air Medal for exceptionally meritorious service. The citation stated that by piloting an unarmed aircraft at low altitude over enemy -held territory, Lieutenant Vogel repeatedly exposed himself and his plane to Communist ground fire in his determined efforts to provide adjustment of friendly artillery fire. Johns last assignment was in command of an artillery unit at Montauk Point, New York. He resigned in 1955 as a first lieutenant. Shortly afterwards. in 1955, he agreed to his father's deathbed wish that he stay in the Elmhurst, Illinois area to look after his mother.

Immediately after leaving the service, John sold insurance and worked in retail establishments. He then went to Point Barrow, Alaska. for 18 months and worked on the Early Aircraft Warning System. Upon his return from Alaska. John and Joan settled in Oak Park, Illinois. and John entered Loyola University in Chicago to become a lawyer. He could frustrate people by arguing one side of an issue and then turn around to argue successfully the other side. John received his Doctorate of Jurisprudence in 1963.

John and Joan then moved to Wayne. Illinois. and adopted two children, Andrew John, born 15 July 1964, and Mary Kay, born 1 July 165. After working for a law firm, John joined the Public Defender's Office of DuPage County Illinois. He quickly gained a reputation for successfully defending those unable to pay legal expenses. In his later private practice in West Chicago he often handled clients from the Hispanic community for no fee. His West Chicago practice was preceded by a venture into politics, in which he served for a number of years as a Wayne Township Supervisor.

John and Joan were divorced in 1974. He resided on the premises of his office in West Chicago with his dog, Ginger. John had a passionate love for animals and served as a member of the board of directors of the Anderson Animal Shelter, Humane Society of North Central Illinois, from 1972 to 1986.

To the end there was a spirit of youth in John. His transportation was a sports car and a motorcycle. His untimely death occurred in a one-car accident when he failed to negotiate a curve in the road at night on returning to his office from  visiting a client.

Controversial at times, but always  but always concerned and dedicated, John was laid to rest in a small secluded cemetary in Wayne, Illinois in accordance/ with his wishes.

Yes, John, you helped many along the way.
Rest in Peace
Joan, Andrew, Mary Kay and his brother Lawrence