George N. Konopasek
July 19, 2017 at 3:31 p.m.
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George is survived by his children: Barbara (Richard) Lambright, Simpsonville; Kathleen (William) Church, Summerfield, N.C., and Edward (Jill) Konopasek, De Pere, Wis.; grandchildren: Jennifer (Scott) Musgrave-Keller, Jeff Musgrave, Elaine (Robert) Landon, Julie (Mike) Haraburda, Brian Blest, Kyle (Carolyn) Mathews, Kevin (Tina) Mathews, Ellen Mathews, Neil (Heather) Mathews, Nicole Wilson, Michelle Coers, Joshua Konopasek, Kayla Konopasek, Maggie Konopasek and Emma Konopasek;
George was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 67 years, Margaret M. Konopasek, and by two of his children, Jody Blest and George K. Konopasek. Also his parents, Leo B. Konopasek and Ruby D. Coffman; sister, Carol Oman; and brothers: Buck, Spike and Leo Konopasek.
George met Margie Konopasek, the love of his life, at the age of 17 in Hessville. They were married Dec. 25, 1948. They raised their five children in Griffith, relocating for their retirement years at Hoffman Lake, Warsaw. Marge and George spent the past several years living in De Pere and Simpsonville to be near their children.
George was drafted and served in the army during World War II. He spent the entire war as part of a heavy artillery unit, seeing time
When George returned from the service, he became a union plumber; he often spoke of his early days at Gatlin Plumbing and Heating in Griffith. The family vividly remembers Dad coming home and telling stories of his boss, Ivan Gatlin, who was a tough-nosed individual who ran a sound business. George later went to work for Circle “R” Mechanical and was especially proud that while working at this company they were commissioned to complete all the plumbing and decorative fountains at South Lake Mall in Merrillville.
Following retirement, George and Marge moved their home to Hoffman Lake near Warsaw. This was a very special time for George and Marge as most of their grandkids enjoyed spending summer vacations with Grandma and Grandpa learning to swim, fish and most importantly how to properly roast marshmallows and make
In the later years when George and Marge were together, Marge struggled with advancing Alzheimer’s. It was truly amazing to watch George as he cared for his Margie. The patience and loving care he offered served as a sterling example of George’s unwavering love for Marge and his commitment made to her on their wedding day to offer unconditional love “in sickness or in health.”
When George married Marge, he became a practicing Catholic and demonstrated a strong faith in God. George and Marge were active members of St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Griffith, and Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Warsaw.
The family would like to extend a sincere thank-you to the wonderful staff at Fairview Assisted Living in Simpsonville, where George spent his final weeks. The staff and residents welcomed George, who quickly became a part of their extended community. The care and socialization he enjoyed at Fairview were something George enjoyed very much.
Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Friday, July 21, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 525 N. Broad St., Griffith, with Father Theodore Mens celebrating. Christian burial will follow at Ridgelawn Cemetery, Gary.
Friends may meet with the family from 9 a.m. until the services Friday at the church.
White Funeral Home, Griffith, assisted the family with arrangements.
*****
Memorials to the Alzheimer’s Association, www.alz.org/join_the_cause_donate.asp.
Condolences may be shared at www.whitefuneralhomeofgriffith.com.
George is survived by his children: Barbara (Richard) Lambright, Simpsonville; Kathleen (William) Church, Summerfield, N.C., and Edward (Jill) Konopasek, De Pere, Wis.; grandchildren: Jennifer (Scott) Musgrave-Keller, Jeff Musgrave, Elaine (Robert) Landon, Julie (Mike) Haraburda, Brian Blest, Kyle (Carolyn) Mathews, Kevin (Tina) Mathews, Ellen Mathews, Neil (Heather) Mathews, Nicole Wilson, Michelle Coers, Joshua Konopasek, Kayla Konopasek, Maggie Konopasek and Emma Konopasek;
George was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 67 years, Margaret M. Konopasek, and by two of his children, Jody Blest and George K. Konopasek. Also his parents, Leo B. Konopasek and Ruby D. Coffman; sister, Carol Oman; and brothers: Buck, Spike and Leo Konopasek.
George met Margie Konopasek, the love of his life, at the age of 17 in Hessville. They were married Dec. 25, 1948. They raised their five children in Griffith, relocating for their retirement years at Hoffman Lake, Warsaw. Marge and George spent the past several years living in De Pere and Simpsonville to be near their children.
George was drafted and served in the army during World War II. He spent the entire war as part of a heavy artillery unit, seeing time
When George returned from the service, he became a union plumber; he often spoke of his early days at Gatlin Plumbing and Heating in Griffith. The family vividly remembers Dad coming home and telling stories of his boss, Ivan Gatlin, who was a tough-nosed individual who ran a sound business. George later went to work for Circle “R” Mechanical and was especially proud that while working at this company they were commissioned to complete all the plumbing and decorative fountains at South Lake Mall in Merrillville.
Following retirement, George and Marge moved their home to Hoffman Lake near Warsaw. This was a very special time for George and Marge as most of their grandkids enjoyed spending summer vacations with Grandma and Grandpa learning to swim, fish and most importantly how to properly roast marshmallows and make
In the later years when George and Marge were together, Marge struggled with advancing Alzheimer’s. It was truly amazing to watch George as he cared for his Margie. The patience and loving care he offered served as a sterling example of George’s unwavering love for Marge and his commitment made to her on their wedding day to offer unconditional love “in sickness or in health.”
When George married Marge, he became a practicing Catholic and demonstrated a strong faith in God. George and Marge were active members of St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Griffith, and Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Warsaw.
The family would like to extend a sincere thank-you to the wonderful staff at Fairview Assisted Living in Simpsonville, where George spent his final weeks. The staff and residents welcomed George, who quickly became a part of their extended community. The care and socialization he enjoyed at Fairview were something George enjoyed very much.
Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Friday, July 21, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 525 N. Broad St., Griffith, with Father Theodore Mens celebrating. Christian burial will follow at Ridgelawn Cemetery, Gary.
Friends may meet with the family from 9 a.m. until the services Friday at the church.
White Funeral Home, Griffith, assisted the family with arrangements.
*****
Memorials to the Alzheimer’s Association, www.alz.org/join_the_cause_donate.asp.
Condolences may be shared at www.whitefuneralhomeofgriffith.com.
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