July 8, 2025 Local Stories in and Around St. Joseph, Illinois

Birthday parade to celebrate Voges

St. Joseph resident Bruce Voges has seen a lot in his life.

And Tuesday will be another first.

To celebrate Voges turning 94, his friends and family are planning a birthday parade.


His family and friends will meet at the Freese Funeral Home parking lot at 302 E. Grand by 5:30 p.m. They will then drive by Voges’ home on Grand Avenue.

The family is encouraging walkers, drivers, runners and dogs of all sizes to participate in the parade.

The Voges family said Bruce is often in his garage during the day so if people are unable to participate in the parade they can drive by during the day and shout happy birthday and wave.


Bruce was married to his wife Katie for 58 years until her death in 2011. They had three children, Michael, Michele and Tim.

Bruce enlisted in the Navy in 1944 at the age of 17. He landed Marines from a small craft on Iwo Jima and Okinawa and witnessed atom-bomb testing.

At the age of 74, he brought a restored Landing Ship Tank home from Greece.

Voges served on a Landing Ship Tank, which is a 328-foot-long vessel designed to take troops, vehicles and cargo directly onto the shore.

Voges served for 20 years in the Navy and retired in 1964. He then went to work for Magnavox in Urbana.

After his second retirement, he worked at the First National Bank of Ogden. First serving as a teller than then working his way up to bank president.

Daughter-in-law Tami Fruhling-Voges said Bruce is generous and full of life.


“Even at his age he continues to do special things for people all the time,” Fruhling-Voges said.


A few years ago, Bruce created wooden pink ribbons with lights on them that he gave to residents and businesses around town.


“He wanted to do something for the community to help the cause,” Fruhling-Voges said. “Every business downtown received a ribbon and many others throughout the community. Because our family and so many others in the community have had their lives changed by the diagnosis, he wanted to do something for October Breast Cancer Awareness month.   Never did he accept money, he would simply tell people to use that money to donate to the cause. He continues to stay active, still doing woodworking projects to share as special gifts.”

Fruhling-Voges said they hope the parade has a large turnout.  

“I’m sure he will be overwhelmed as the parade passes his home,” she said. “It will warm his heart to know how many people think so highly of him to want to wish him a happy birthday.”

Photo courtesy of the News-Gazette.

Banner
Related Posts

Vendor profile: Tupperware with Aubree

August 8, 2024

August 8, 2024

1. Tell me about your business. Tupperware has been around for 79 years and is known for the bowls, kitchen...

Live at St. Joseph Village Board, Dec. 13, 2022

December 13, 2022

December 13, 2022

I am late because Sawyer had a Christmas Concert. #rudolphtherednosedreindeer #sparkles Discussing donating to the proposed project from last meeting...

Deadline approaching for Pageant

May 27, 2019

May 27, 2019

The deadline to compete in the Champaign County Fair Queen and Little Miss Pageant is this week. The Champaign County...

Plotner scholarship event moved to Middle School

October 25, 2019

October 25, 2019

Forecasted rain may be changing the location but it won’t change the intent of the Haunted Halloween event on Saturday....

Author to host talk at library

March 5, 2019

March 5, 2019

On Saturday, March 9th at 1 p.m. Maureen Hughes will be at the St. Joseph Township-Swearingen Memorial Library, 201 N....

Bringing Boston to St. Joseph: Jones to complete virtual marathon Monday throughout villages

September 5, 2020

September 5, 2020

Alison Jones has competed in the Boston Marathon before. On Monday, she will participate in the storied event — just...

Athletic complex to be dedicated tonight

April 16, 2021

April 16, 2021

 The St. Joseph-Ogden School District will honor Glenn Fisher tonight.The district voted in June 2020 to name the athletic complex...

The Kramers to perform in Thomasboro

April 26, 2019

April 26, 2019

The Kramers have performed on the Main Stage at the National Quartet Convention and at the Gaither Fall Festival. They...

The Importance of Sunscreen

July 8, 2021

July 8, 2021

By: Will Miller, PA-C, Christie Clinic Department of Dermatology Summer has come and everyone is out and enjoying the sun....

Tree lighting, Grinch scavenger hunt to take place today

December 2, 2023

December 2, 2023

The hunt for the Grinch is on. The Village of St. Joseph is hosting a scavenger hunt on Dec. 2...

Santa Claus is coming to town

November 9, 2021

November 9, 2021

Santa Claus will come to town on Dec. 11. The St Joseph-Stanton Fire Wife Tribe along with the help of...

Short hopes to light up St. Joseph

December 8, 2020

December 8, 2020

Audrey Short wants to light up St. Joseph for Christmas. Short is urging the community to take part in a...

‘This role has been an amazing one to take on’

April 1, 2022

April 1, 2022

Wyatt Loghry has loved the Addams Family since he was little. And now, he is playing the patriarch, Gomez Addams....

Around Town April 30-May 4

April 30, 2019

April 30, 2019

April 30-May 23 Spring Used Book Sale St Joseph Township Library, 201 N 3rd St, St Joseph, IL 61873 The...

Fall into a ‘Trap’ today at SJO

October 20, 2019

October 20, 2019

Today at 2 p.m. a mystery will unfold at St. Joseph-Ogden High School. The SJO drama department is producing “Trap”...

Comments
Leave a Reply