Harold S. "Hal" Wargo, 80, of Knox, the father of local residents, died Tuesday, Jan. 4, 2000, at his residence.

He was born Dec. 20, 1919, to Stephen and Agnes Kubeck Wargo, in Whiting.  He was married Dec. 23, 1943, to Vera Mae Ehrenhardt in Whiting.  She died Dec. 17,1995.

He was a graduate of Clark High School and Northwestern University.

He was an Army veteran of World War II, serving as a First Lieutenant in Manila.

He was chief state ranger for the Catholic Foresters Insurance for the past eight years.

He had served as a police officer for the City of Hammond and then was employed for 32 years at the Ford Motor Co. Assembly Plant in Chicago, in industrial relations until his retirement in 1978. He was also the financial manager of the Chicago Auto Employee Credit Union.

He was an active member of St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, Knox.

He was an avid Ford car enthusiast and baseball fan and an accomplished violinist.

He was a member of Knox VFW Post No. 141.

He is survived by a daughter, Deborah (Larry) Redlin, Monon; a son, Stephen Wargo, Delphi  and seven grandchildren.

A brother, Robert V. Wargo; a grandson Benjamin; and a great grandson, Peyton Briar, are deceased.

A funeral mass was celebrated Saturday at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, Knox.

M.C. Smith Funeral Home, Knox was in charge.

Interment was in Crown Hill Cemetery, Knox.

Memorials may be given to St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church.