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Kaleb Kiester
What are the different ways that someone can give to a community? Does it need to be strictly financial, or could it be a service? It’s important that we, as a community, do what we can in any way to support one another in all facets of life. Phil Vogel has been a strong advocate for this sentiment, making it his life mission to always give back in some way, any way he can.
Phil was born on August 3, 1951 to Lawrence (commonly known as Cobb) and Alberta (commonly known as Bert) Vogel. Phil had three brothers, two older: Greg and Bruce, and one younger: Chris. The family originally lived in Smithson, but when Phil was in 7th grade, they moved to Monticello. The family has known White County their entire lives and they have quite the legacy to show for it.
Both of Phil’s parents got into the real estate business in 1965 when they started up Vogel Real Estate. Cobb was an auctioneer, whereas Bert was much more on the inside of operations. Outside of work, Cobb would utilize his talents as an auctioneer often, volunteering to help out in various fundraisers for United Way, the Boy Scouts, and other various groups in the county. Bert was a member of the Ladies Sodality at Our Lady of the Lakes Catholic Church, a member of the Greater Monticello Chamber of Commerce, as well as a United Way Board Member. Cobb passed away in 2001, with Bert following him in 2008. Their passion for the community had an immense influence on Phil’s life, inspiring him to be the philanthropist he is today.
When the Vogels moved to Monticello in 1963, Phil began attending Lincoln High School. He graduated in 1969 and immediately started his extensive career in the trades business. He began a sheet metal apprenticeship for about five years and continued his trades work for a few years after he left. There he was able to do many things like working in mechanics, landscaping, and building quite a few homes. He truly was a “jack of all trades.” After his career in that field, Phil felt called to get into the business his mother and father were in before him.
Phil’s extensive career in real estate and auctioneering blossomed his connection to the community. While Phil’s parents started the company, Phil really put it on the map and expanded it to all parts of White County with his family. Vogel Real Estate is now a four-generation company, continuing to serve the community and help start the many lives of families in our community.
Phil met his wife, Susie, through her parents. Susie’s parents were building Hollow Acre’s Golf Center and Phil assisted them in doing so. It was there that he was introduced to Susie right after she had graduated with her degree in Recreational Education from Purdue University. The two hit it off and started their life together, marrying on April 25, 1981. For many years, Susie was the head of the Monticello Youth Center and was employed by the state as a vocational rehabilitation counselor. She thoroughly enjoyed her work and was passionate about helping individuals of all ages. After welcoming their first child into the world, Susie decided to focus her efforts in the home and take care of her children while Phil was out at work.
Phil and Susie have three daughters together. Their eldest, Kaitlyn, was born in 1984. Then Kimbre, two years later. And finally, Kylie in 1994. Each of them has their own incredibly successful careers in medicine, real estate, and more all over the country. Phil is so incredibly proud of his daughters and the lives they’ve created for each other.
Phil has been a very prominent member in the community, doing lots of work for it behind the scenes. For 42 years, he was a member of Kiwanis, even serving as president for a time, so that he may benefit others through volunteer services across White County. You would often find Phil volunteering with the Salvation Army, ringing the bell outside of Kroger or offering his time to build things for organizations like the Boy Scouts. He was also a member of the city council for eight years, stopping around six years ago, so he could give his input and time to assisting the county on a larger scale. For 40 years, he would sell the auction at the county fairgrounds to help out the fair he loved so dearly as a child. Phil never stops finding a way to help, as he’s been doing so for almost his entire life.
Unfortunately, Susie Vogel passed away in August of 2022. Phil wanted to cement her impact and devotion to her community with the Community Foundation of White County, discussing with his daughters about establishing an endowment in her honor as well as his. The family was ecstatic to show tribute and deep care towards Susie and Phil. They now have an unrestricted fund with the Community Foundation of White County: the Phil & Susie Vogel Family Endowment.
Phil always believed that you could help out in any way possible. He felt very lucky and fortunate in his life and recognized that others were not as fortunate as he was. He says that if you can help in any way, you should because it’s going to improve your home. In an interview with the Community Foundation of White County, Phil said “Doing a little volunteer work doesn’t hurt anybody… A lot of people don’t want to bother with it, ‘I don’t care about it.’ Well you should care about it because it’s really the future of your town, or city.”
Phil has supported White County for decades, from his work in the trades business, real estate, and volunteer work throughout it. Phil believes that change can be made, through the togetherness of the community and devotion to benefiting others. He has always tried to, and succeeded in doing so, embody that sentiment. We in White County are so grateful for Phil’s legacy and all the care he’s given to the people who live in it. His fund in his and Susie’s name will continue to benefit organizations and individuals for years and years to come.
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