Mike Gabriel Vargo, Jr.

Mike Gabriel Vargo, Jr.

1945 - 2020

Mike Gabriel Vargo, Jr., 75, passed away December 4, 2020, after a short illness at the Bowers Hospice House.

Mike was born on January 22, 1945, to Mike Gabriel Vargo, Sr. of Oswald, and Margaret Ann Pedro of Tams. 

Mike was preceded in death by his parents, his brother John Paul Vargo, and the mother of his children, Frances Shortt Vargo.   

Mike was survived by his wife of 24 years, Lois Hicks Vargo, his sister Margaret Vargo Fox of Beckley, his son, Greg Vargo of Beckley, two daughters, Susan (Robert) Osborne of Beckley and Lisa (Joshua) Schwartz of Centerton, Arkansas, and one stepdaughter, Angela (Chris) Burnside of Mossy.  Also, left to cherish his memory are his grandchildren, Jessica Vargo, Dillon Burnside, Blake Burnside, Bain Vargo, Gabriel Schwartz and his great-grandchildren Ethan, Daryl, and Audrina, special friend Julie Voloski Basham, and several nieces and nephews. 

Mike was a disabled welder, working in the coal industry at Maben Energy for most of his career.  He was proud of his years working in the coal industry and had many friends from his days working.   He enjoyed family gatherings, road trips, especially to Atlantic City and Charleston, and spending time at his camp on the Greenbrier River, even though he didn’t know how to swim.  Many of his family and friends knew him by his nickname Doodle. 

The Rite of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, December 9th at 12 noon in the Melton Mortuary Chapel.   The Rev. Mr. Harry Evans of St. Francis de Sales Church will be officiating. The family will receive friends beginning at 10:00 am on Wednesday.    The  Rite of Committal will follow in the Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens at Prosperity.  

Family and friends will serve as pallbearers. 

In keeping with current health restrictions all guests must wear facial coverings at all times within the facility. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Southern West Virginia-Bowers Hospice House, 454 Cranberry Drive, Beckley, WV 25801. 

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Mike Gabriel Vargo, Jr., please visit our floral store.