We miss you, Grandpa!

MARION – Norman W. Fogt, age 92, of Marion, went to be with the Lord on Friday afternoon, February 26, 2009, at the Ohio State University Medical Center following an illness he had fought over the last year.

Norman was born October 11, 1916 on the family farm in Shelby County, Ohio, the son of the late Herbert O. and Mary (Zorn) Fogt. He graduated from Blume High School and went to Capital University where in 1939 he received his BA in education. In 1946 Norman earned an MA in school administration from the Ohio State University.

Norman enlisted in the U.S. Navy in October of 1942 and served on active duty until 1946. He remained in the Navy Reserve for thirty more years until 1976 and achieved the rank of Captain.

On June 24, 1944, while he was on leave from the U.S. Navy, Norman married Donna Ruth Sinning of Marion, Ohio. They shared over sixty four wonderful years of marriage together.

In 1946 Norman and Donna Ruth moved to Marion where he became the principal of Kirkpatrick School, then principal of Taft Junior High School in the Marion City Schools. He was promoted to Director of Public Relations and Research and served more than thirty years until his retirement in 1977. He was a member of the Marion County, the Ohio, and the National Education Associations.

Norman was a faithful and active member of the Emanuel Lutheran Church. He served in numerous capacities in the congregation, including president, Sunday School superintendent, elder, deacon, and Sunday School teacher.

Norman was a life member, an honorary life member, and board member of the Marion County Historical Society. He served the organization as president, treasurer, and docent. He was involved with the Marion Lions Club for over fifty years and was a past president. Norman also worked in the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program for twenty-seven years. Norman was also an active member of the Boy Scouts of America as a scoutmaster, district officer, and board member. He received the Silver Beaver Award and the national Lutheran Lamb Award.

Norman enjoyed spending time with his family, especially recent trips to the Smoky Mountains with his entire family to celebrate his 60th wedding anniversary and his 90th birthday.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Donna Ruth Fogt of Marion, daughter and son-in-law, Vickie Sue and Rev. Robert Groenke Jr. of Millersburg; and son and daughter-in-law, Stephen and Sandra Fogt of Kansas City, MO.; Grandchildren include, Rev. Matthew (Julie) Groenke of Gothenburg, NE, Dr. Melinda (Kevin) Wonsick of West Jefferson, NC, Daniel (Lissa Staley) Fogt of Topeka, KS, and Jonathan (Sara) Fogt of Kansas City, MO; There are seven great-grandchildren, Adam, Elijah, Rebecka, Jeremiah, Thomas, and Kivrin; He also will be missed by three brothers, Carl (Fae) Fogt of Van Wert, OH, Herbert Jr. (Ada) of Troy, OH, and Rev. Eugene (Mona) Fogt of Houston, TX; three sisters, Miriam Holtkamp of New Bremen, OH, Ruby (Richard) Cecil of Brownsburg, IN, and Doris (Robert) Mays of Centerville, OH; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Including his parents, Norman was preceded in death by his brother and sister-in-law, Virgil and Carolyn Fogt; a sister, Wilda Fogt; a brother-in-law, Charlie Holtkamp; and a great-granddaughter, Madison.

The Fogt family will greet friends from 3 – 6 p.m. on Sunday, March 1, at the Denzer-Farison-Hottinger & Snyder Funeral Home, 360 E. Center St., Marion. Services celebrating his life will be held on Monday at 11:30 a.m. at the Emanuel Lutheran Church, 241 S. Prospect St., Marion, with Rev. J. Weston Jones and Rev. Mark Schuring officiating. His family will greet friends for an hour prior to the services. Burial will follow with military honors provided by the Marion County United Veterans Council in Marion Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to Emanuel Lutheran Church, in care of the Stain Glass Window Renovation Project or the Radio Fund, 241 S. Prospect St., Marion, 43302, or to the Marion County Historical Society, 169 E. Church St., Marion, Ohio 43302.

Online condolences are encouraged and may be expressed to the family at www.snyderfuneralhomes.com.