Joel Thomas Vigardt,

Joel Thomas Vigardt, 79, of Conover, passed away into Heaven on March 28, 2026, at his residence.

Born May 18, 1946, in Chicago, IL, he was the son of the late Mary Faulkner Vigardt and Alf Vigardt. 

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his daughter, Elizabeth Vigardt.

Joel was a faithful follower of Christ and accepted Him as his savior on Mother’s Day in 1976. He graduated from Waukegan High School in Waukegan, IL.

Joel Worked for AT&T for 32 years as a cable splicer for the company and in his retirement, he was a house parent for special needs men through the Northpoint Achievement Center in Zion, Illinois.

Most importantly, Joel was a loving husband, father and grandfather, and will be missed by all who had the honor of knowing and loving him.

Survivors include his wife of 60 years, Kathryn (Kay) Williams Vigardt, of the home; children, Barbara Vigardt Lichtenauer (Jay); Aaron Vigardt (April), and Christopher Vigardt (Rachael); 11 grandchildren, Hannah Vigardt, Michael Ree, Johnathan Ree, Ruth Lichtenauer, Nora Lichtenauer, Nathan Lichtenauer, Agnes Vigardt, Ella Vigardt, Kai Vigardt, Keagan Vigardt, and Conner Vigardt; and a brother, Paul J. Vigardt.

Burial will be held at a later date at the Ascension Cemetery in Libertyville, IL.

Bass-Smith Funeral Home & Crematory in Hickory, North Carolina is serving the Vigardt family.