Obituaries

Jo P. Vargo, 72

December 28, 2022

Jo P. Vargo, age 72, of Lititz, Pennsylvania, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her family on December 28th, 2022, after an 11-year battle with cancer. She was the daughter of Paul and Betty Luck and the wife of Thomas R. Vargo, to whom she was married for 48 years.

Jo was a graduate of Newport High School and Shippensburg State College, and she received her mas-ter’s degree from Penn State University. In 1972 she began her career teaching kindergarten at Sus-quenita for 10 years before taking time off to raise her two children, after which she resumed teaching at Manheim Central for 23 additional years until her retirement in 2011. Jo was passionate about early childhood education and looked forward with excitement to each school year. In 2000 she was chosen to pilot a new all-day kindergarten program which was so successful that it was implemented district-wide the following year. As a testament to her abilities, she was honored by being selected as Man-heim Central School District Elementary Teacher of the Year in 2001.

Jo was a model mother who always put her family first. She placed her heart and soul into raising her sons, and her unconditional love will never be forgotten. She lived every day to its fullest, and much of her leisure time was spent with the love of her life and husband, Tom. Together they enjoyed attend-ing their sons’ sporting events, biking rail trails, kayaking, weight training, tennis, and camping in their travel trailer. She had a deep love for the ocean and a special fondness for Wildwood Crest, NJ, where she often vacationed multiple times a year. She also enjoyed the annual “Vargo Beach Week” where over 50 members of the family descended on Ocean City, NJ as well as visits to her family and friends in Maryland, especially her granddaughter.

An avid gardener, Jo spent countless hours tending her beds and taking pictures of her flowers, which she used on greeting cards as gifts for friends and relatives. She also had a competitive side. Over the course of three decades, she participated in races ranging from 5Ks to half marathons and triathlons and placed in her age group at nearly every event.

Jo was a member of St. James Catholic Church and also enjoyed attending services at Sacred Heart in Cornwall, PA. She would like to give thanks for the countless prayers said on her behalf and the excel-lent care she received from the entire staff at Penn State Cancer Institute in Hershey. She was certain both helped extend her life along with the companionship of her dog Cooper, who traveled with her everywhere and brought her great comfort and happiness.

In addition to her husband, Jo is survived by her sons Thomas Z. Vargo of Des Moines, IA, and Erik (Joyce) Vargo of Olney, MD, her granddaughter Julia, and her sisters Elizabeth Leach of Carlisle and Margaret Campbell of Lewistown. She was preceded in death by her parents and her brother Franklin (Faye) Gaugler.

At Jo’s request all services will be private and at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Penn State Health Children’s Hospital.

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Condolences to the Family

January 08, 2023

Am very sorry for your loss I went to H.C. Burgard,  I remember Mrs. Vargo very sweet loveable teacher. She would do anything to help.  I didn’t have the opportunity to have her. 

January 07, 2023

Mrs. Vargo was my Kindergarten teacher at H.C. Burgard in 1993. She made a very lasting impression on me and has always been one of my favorite teachers. She was a very caring person and had a passion for teaching. I recently ran into her at The Flower Wagon either this year or last year. I was so amazed that she still remembered my name after all the students she’s ever had and it’s been close to 30 years since I had her as my teacher! She asked when I granduated, what I’ve done in life and was more interested in hearing about my own children. I feel so blessed to have had crossed paths with her one last time. Positive thoughts and prayers go out to Mrs. Vargo’s family during this time. She was a wonderful person and I’m so thankful I was one of the lucky students to enter her classroom. 
Dallace Rutt (Longenecker) 
Manheim Central Class of 2006

January 05, 2023

My sincere and deepest condolences to Jo’s family.  Jo was my youngest child’s Kindergarten teacher and also coworker.  She was a great teacher and coworker.  Her presence  will be greatly missed.  She was such a friendly person and easy to talk with.  May she enjoy the beautiful heavenly gardens made just for her enjoyment. ❤️

January 05, 2023

I had you as my kindergarten teacher, I’ve always appreciated you and everything that you have done for me. I’ve always remembered how you would have my back when I had to wear my eye patch to school for my eye issues and would get made fun of for it. I will always remember you. You had a very big heart and was always patient with your students. Prayers to the family. ❤️
Jessica White

January 05, 2023

My heartfelt condolences to Jo’s family and friends. She has been my Facebook Friend since we moved to Georgia in 2017.  We shared a love of gardening and a joyful love for our families.   She was always a bright ray of sunshine and positive thoughts. 
❤🙏❤May God Bless Her and Keep Her In His Loving Care,  Always and Forever! ❤🌹❤
Georgeanne Albright

January 05, 2023

Our deepest condolences. We are glad that she had some time with her family before she passed. we are here for you if you need anything.
Sam and Dave

January 05, 2023

My Deepest Condolences to the Family. My 3 Daughter’s had her for Kindergarten and she was so Loved by all of us. Such a sweetheart.
May God walk with her in the Land of Paradise and may God comfort your family also.🙏🙏❤

January 05, 2023

For the Family of Jo I would like to extend my Deepest Sympathies. My 3 daughter’s had Jo as their Kindergarten teacher and she was the Best. I have so many wonderful pictures of her and my girls. 
God has a Special place in the Garden of Paradise for her. May she RIP🙏🙏❤ The Kraybill Family
( Jessica Sarah and Emily )

January 04, 2023

I am so sorry to hear of Jo’s passing.  I have such fond memories of carpooling with her when we both taught at Susquenita Elementary School.  I was so happy when we reconnected with Facebook.  My prayers are with you Tom, and your family.  Jo was a wonderful person.  

January 04, 2023

Tom, we are so sorry to hear of Jo’s passing.  We have fond memories of being your neighbors on Jeffrey Lane, and watching Tommy and Erik grow and play.  She was a wonderful person – always so friendly and had that great smile! Enjoyed keeping in touch through Facebook and seeing the many family pics.   Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Dennis and Linda Patrick

January 04, 2023

So sorry for your loss. Jo was such a positive and loving person. I am only a cousin-in-law, but from the moment I met Jo, I felt like a sister. We have another angel in heaven watching over us. Sending prayers to all the family. Ramona 

January 04, 2023

Tom, Tommy & Erik,
 I am so sorry to learn of Jo’s passing. She was a wonderful woman. All throughout my years as a high school wrestler, and later as a teacher and coach, she was always supportive and encouraging. 
Dave Pugliese 

January 04, 2023

Tom, Tommy, and Erik-we were saddened to learn of Jo’s passing. We have fond memories of you all as neighbors on Jeffrey Lane. Sending you our deepest sympathy!! Mike and Kelly Ober 

January 03, 2023

Tom,
My condolences.  I pray that God comforts you during this time of loss.
John Weiss

January 03, 2023

Coach Vargo, Tommy and Erik:
Words are not adequate to express our sadness for your family on Jo’s passing.  CherylAnn and I always enjoyed spening time together with you and shared many laughs.  We have often remarked about her soft spokeness, her gentile manner, her grace and dignity and great inner strength to have battled cancer for so long.  May each of you find peace in the knowledge Jo now rests in the presence of the Lord and may cherished memories sustain you through these difficult times and beyond. 
With Love and Prayers,
Chris & CherylAnn Bentz   

January 03, 2023

 Thomas/family-
Jo was our childrens’kindergarten teacher at H.C.Burgard Elementary School. Our son Josh,and daughter Megan were so lucky to have such an amazing teacher! She gave them such a great start to their school successes at Manheim Central School District.
Please treasure the memories you have of Jo–she was such an amazing person and we were so blessed to have her teach our children.
Our deepest sympathy to you and your family!
Jerry/Coleen Funk   (Joshua/Megan–students of Jo’s.)

January 03, 2023

Jo and I developed a special friendship while teaching together at Burgard Elementary. We were birthday buddies, it was fun celebrating that day together. Our bond grew even stronger when my daughter was in her kindergarten class. I have so much respect for her as a teacher, a colleague and a friend. My prayers to her loving family. 

January 03, 2023

I was Jo’s college room mate at Shippensburg. I have fond memories of her. Please know that I thought of her many times over the years. I am happy she was a good wife, mom and grandmother. I am so sorry for your loss!🙏🙏💔

January 03, 2023

Tom, so sorry to read about your wife passing. My sincere condolences to you and the family. Bob Herman

January 03, 2023

Coach Vargo and Family,
So sorry to see the passing of Jo. I wish all of you peace during this difficult time!
Greg Schreder 

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