George Bogner, age 75, made his journey to Heaven on January 27, 2015 at The Ohio State University Hospital, surrounded by his family. He was born December 27, 1939, in Brestovac, Yugoslavia to the late Peter and Eva (Weihrauch) Bogner.
George completed his schooling in Stuttgart, Germany at the age of 14, which was the standard graduating age. He then went on to complete a three year sheet metal apprentice school in Stuttgart. He later completed a course in welding at Lincoln Electric. He came to the United States in December 1956, enduring 10 days of travel by ship. He became a United States Citizen in May 1970.
His vocation was his passion and he was a very gifted sheet metal craftsman. George worked for the Charles Hoffman Company, Central Ohio Mechanical Contractors, Inc. and the Mike Volk Company. He was a member of the Sheet Metal Workers International Association, Local #33. His intelligence was known to all whom he met. George loved new technology and was always aware of the latest and best developments. He never stopped learning in his lifetime and was teaching us right up to the day he left us.
He was a great problem solver and had no trouble figuring out the most difficult tasks, even if it was something he had no experience with. He passed his persistence and this exceptional trait on to his children and grandchildren.
No task was ever given to George without it being completed to perfection. Whether it was family or profession, he strived for and achieved his very best.
George’s disease- Primary Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH)- is a rare condition affecting less than 200,000 people in the United States. He learned everything he could about his diagnosis and was known to teach the nurses and physicians all about his illness and medications during his hospital stays. George’s final act of kindness was to give the gift of life through his donation of tissues that will touch the lives of as many as 50 people.
George was a loving husband, father and grandfather and was greatly loved by his family. He will be missed beyond words. He enjoyed his grandchildren (and granddog, Zoey) who visited him daily to read books, be his personal little helpers, watch movies together, go swimming and just spend time together. He was an avid fan of both the Cleveland Cavaliers and the German Fussball Team.
George married the love of his life, Barbara (Thierlein) Bogner on October 6, 1962, and were happily married for 52 years. They were married at Diamond Hills Baptist Church where George became a member soon after.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by his children, Heidi Lowe, Deborah (Bob) Hoffman, Amy (Scott) Shrader, Beth (Jason) Leppo and Shaun (Amber) Bogner; grandchildren, Chad Pauley, Kaylee (Michael) Schwechheimer, Lucas Lowe, Caitlin, Jack and Emily Bogner; two brothers, Matthias Bogner of Crestline and Peter (Judy) Bogner of Mansfield; a sister, Elfriede Bogner of Mansfield; and several nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents; sister and brother-in-law, Eva and William Landon; sister-in-law, Betty Bogner; an infant brother and sister; parents-in-law, H. Robert and Thalia Thierlein; and his beloved “Baby Kitty”.
The family will receive friends from 1-4 p.m. Sunday, February 1, 2015, in the Ontario Home of Wappner Funeral Directors, 100 S. Lexington-Springmill Road. The funeral service will be held in the funeral home Monday at 11:00 a.m. with Rev. Christopher Thomas officiating. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made to the Pulmonary Hypertension Support Fund #312585, c/o Kristina Spano, 473 W. 12th Avenue, Suite 201, Columbus, Ohio 43210 or Hand Me Down Dobes Rescue (his granddogs, Rudy and Flirt, were rescued by HMDD), PO Box 12325, Columbus, Ohio, 43212, two organizations that meant so much to George.
Online guest registry at www.wappner.com
