Robert “Bob” W. Vose, 94, of Springfield, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on Monday, February 20, 2023 at The Villas Senior Care Community. Bob was born on January 19, 1929 in Springfield IL, the son of John and Hedwig (Krebs) Vose. He married Virginia Vetter on May 2, 1953 at Saints Peter & Paul Church in Springfield. Bob attended Sacred Heart Grade School and Lanphier High School and later served our country in the United States Army.
Bob was a proud and active citizen serving his country and his beloved city, Springfield, IL. He was the first city alderman elected to represent Ward 5 and continued to be an advocate for his ward and its’ residents long after his term of service expired. Bob was a very generous man, donating his time, treasure and talents to a great many local causes throughout his entire life. He loved playing the role of Santa Claus at the city recreation department and was a referee and umpire of high school sports for several years. He sponsored the annual Goodwill client Halloween and Christmas parties for 34 years. He was a member of the Oak Ridge Cemetery Foundation, and was very active in fundraising for the cemetery and responsible for Monument Avenue Beautification improvements.
He was honored to be a Grand Marshal at the Illinois State Fair in 2017 and was given the Illinois State Fair: Illinoisan of the Day Award in 2011. Bob knew his city well, he worked for the Illinois Ice Company delivering ice for many years before becoming a City Water Light and Power meter reader and later a stationary engineer for the State of IL. He was a member of IBEW Local 193 for over 65 years.
Naturally, Bob was well known as “The Korndog King”. He and his brothers initially started selling Vose Corn Dogs at the Illinois State Fair in 1966; Bob and his wife Virginia continued Vose Fine Food for over 50 years. Visiting the Vose Family Corn Dog stand continues to be a statewide annual tradition during the Illinois State Fair.
He was a lifelong member of St. Joseph Catholic Church and a proud north ender.
Bob was preceded in death by his parents; wife Virginia; four brothers; and six sisters.
He is survived by his six children, Robert Vose, Jr., Virginia (Mike) Geiger, Ronald (MaryBeth) Vose, Kenneth (Roxann) Vose, Debra Vose and Sandra (Robert) Orr; 14 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren; last brother, Harold (Jean) Vose; and several nieces and nephews.
Visitation: 4 – 7 pm, Tuesday, February 28, 2023 at St. Joseph Catholic Church – Springfield. A second visitation will be held from 9:45 – 10:45 am, Wednesday, March 1, 2023 at the church.
Funeral Mass: 11 am, Wednesday, March 1, 2023 at St. Joseph Catholic Church – Springfield with Rev. Allen Kemme officiating. Burial will follow at Oak Ridge Cemetery where military honors will be conducted.
Memorial Contributions may be made to: St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or Shriners Hospitals for Children.
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