Joe Vaughan, 85

Joe Vaughan, age 85, of New Prague, died peacefully on Tuesday, July 12, 2022 at Mayo Clinic Health System Hospital New Prague.  Joe was born on September 15, 1936 in New Prague to Joseph C. and Elizabeth (Hart) Vaughan.  Joe’s love of New Prague began from that moment and continued throughout his life.  He graduated from New Prague High School, proudly served in the US Army, stationed in Germany from 1954-56, and came back to marry the woman who would light up his life.  Joe and Diane Pint were married at Union Hill on April 20, 1963 and Joe always said he would be nothing without her!  Joe worked as a safety manager at CHART Industries for almost 30 years.  He was a devoted member of the New Prague Fire Department and served as its chief for 5 years.  He was also a member of the Knights of Columbus and a proud member of the New Prague Area Veterans Honor Guard.

 Joe loved life and spread happiness and cheer wherever he landed.  He could find something in common with everybody and meeting him once meant you had  become his best friend.  He had the ability to turn a difficult day into one containing sunshine with the twinkle in his eye and his positive spin, whether it be a joke or just a kind word.  He enjoyed traveling with his “travel agent” wife, but always wanted to make sure there were New Prague people along on the trip, always an ambassador for New Prague. 

He loved sports, especially golf, baseball, softball, and bowling and was a member of numerous leagues, including DRS and playing in the “over 35” until he was almost 60.  Devoted to his kids and grandchildren, he loved nothing more than watching them participate in the sports that they enjoyed.  He could always be talked into a good game of cards and his signature “pound on the table bare-knuckled” was the sign that the cards were in his favor!  Joe was proud of his Irish heritage and seeing him travel to the bakery on his scooter, with the American flag waving no matter the weather brought many a smile and a wave to those who saw him.  He knew and truly loved everyone he met and the town and his family will miss the Irish twinkle in his eye, his warm smile and the positivity he exuded.

 Joe is survived by his loving wife of 59 years, Diane; children, Joe (Renee) Vaughan of Woodbury, Daniel Vaughan of Savage, Jim (Jana) Vaughan of Maple Grove, Dave (Carey) Vaughan of New Prague, Julie (Dan) Novak of New Prague; grandchildren, Maria (Jon) Perkins, Laura Vaughan (fiancé, Dylan Steman), Jackson Vaughan, Madeline Vaughan, Callahan Vaughan (fiancé, Josh Krentz), Nick Kiffmeyer, Carter Vaughan, Jacob Vaughan, Tommy Vaughan, Nick Novak, Joey Novak, Charlie Novak; sisters, Helen Mae Casey of Prior Lake, Laura Wermerskirchen of Burnsville.  He is preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Betty Wagner & Rita Zweber; brother, Francis in infancy.

 Mass of Christian Burial will be held Saturday, July 23, 2022 at 10:00 AM at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church with Father Eugene Theisen officiating and Fathers George Grafsky and Roger Hessian concelebrating.  Mass will be live-streamed on npcatholic.org.  Visitation will take place Friday from 4-8 pm and Saturday morning from 7:30 – 9:30 at Bruzek Funeral Home.  Burial will occur at St. Wenceslaus Cemetery where military honors will be conducted by the New Prague Area Veterans Honor Guard.  Lunch will follow at the Park Ballroom. In lieu of flowers, donations preferred to St. Wenceslaus School.

bruzekfuneralhome.com

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