Joseph “Joe” Vargo, age 83, of Attica/Lum, MI died Monday, May 3, 2021 at McLaren Lapeer Region Hospital of Lapeer, MI. Joseph Andrew Vargo was born April 18, 1938 in Detroit, MI. He was the son of the late Emery and the late Agnes (Tackias) Vargo. Joe grew up in Emmett, MI. He was a graduate of Capac High School, Class of 1957. He married Marjorie “Margie” McNary on August 7, 1965 in Imlay City, MI. Joe and Marge moved to Imlay City, MI after they were married. He was preceded in death by his wife, Marge, on June 13, 2017.
He proudly served in the Michigan National Guard and spent summer deployments at Camp Grayling. Joe was a self-employed commercial and residential builder. He started Capac Construction in 1965. Joe did thousands of projects through the years.
Joe had many pastimes and enjoyed collecting things. His favorite pastime was spending time with his grandchildren. Joe liked to bowl at Cedar Lanes and vegetable gardening.
He is survived by his daughters, Laura (Michael) Caldwell of North Branch, MI and Catherine (Mark) Filer of Lum, MI; son, James (Nikki) Vargo of Grand Blanc, MI; five grandchildren, Ava Vargo, Jude Vargo, Claire Caldwell, Nicholas Caldwell and Emily Filer; many nieces and nephews; and his sister-in-law, Donna McNary of Imlay City, MI.
Joe was preceded in death by his wife, Marjorie “Margie” Vargo; sister-in-law, Carol (Paul) Ankley; his brother (recently), Elmer Vargo; and sister, Irene Bristen.
The funeral was held Saturday, May 8, 2021 at St. Peter & Paul Catholic Church, 6645 Washington Street, North Branch, MI. Reverend Fr. Richard Treml and Reverend Fr. Chris Ankley officiated. Interment followed at Arcadia Township Cemetery in Lum, MI.
A Rosary service took place on Friday, May 7.
Those wishing to make memorial contributions can direct them to Capac Historial Society, 401 E. Kempf Ct., Capac, MI 48014 or Capac Senior Center, 585 N. Main Street, Capac, MI 48014.
Funeral arrangments made by Muir Brothers Funeral Home of Imlay City, 225 N. Main Street, Imlay City, MI.
