George Howard Weamire was born to Louis Albiga Weamire and Antoinette Elenore Schwarz on June 24, 1934, in Aurora, Indiana, and passed away Feb. 15, 2024, at home in Friend at the age of 89 years 7 months and 22 days. He was the oldest child with a younger sister, Carolyn Ann, and younger brother, Paul Elmer.
George grew up in Lawrenceburg, Indiana. He attended St. Lawrence Catholic School for grades 1-8 and graduated high school from Lawrenceburg Consolidated High School in May 1952. After high school, he worked at the local sawmill and electric plant. He made the decision to join the Air Force in 1953. He served until 1957. After being home for a year, he reenlisted and made the Air Force his career, retiring in April 1980. In his 26 years in the Air Force, he saw much of the world: England, Africa (French Morocco/The Kingdom of Morocco), Thailand, the Netherlands, Norway and many locations within the United States.
George met his wife and the love of his life, Gerda, on Nov. 22, 1969, while stationed in the Netherlands. They met on a blind date through mutual friends. Gerda introduced herself as “Carol” as she didn’t think he could pronounce her name correctly. He said differently and the rest as they say is history. They were married Feb. 10, 1971. Included in the package was Gerda’s daughter, Michelle, who was 3 when they met. George never thought twice and took her as his own from day 1. Their union brought four more children: Gunther, Diana, Garth and Gwynn. After the Netherlands, they lived in Florida, Norway and Georgia.
When George retired, the family moved to Lennox, South Dakota. He worked for the State of South Dakota in disaster preparedness and decided in 1982 to obtain a double major in education & special education from Augustana College in Sioux Falls. He taught for three years in South Dakota and in August 1988, took a teaching job in Whittier, Alaska. He taught for two years there and retired again. From 1990 – 1997 he worked at the military fuel storage facility doing various jobs. He volunteered for the Whittier Fire Department from 1998 – 2019 as a fireman and maintenance man. He also volunteered from 1990 – 2018 as Santa for the children in Whittier, arriving every year on the firetruck.
George and his wife moved to Nebraska in August 2021 and settled into a nice apartment in Friend. They truly enjoyed being closer to their daughters and they met many new friends in the short time they were here.
George enjoyed many things in his lifetime: Fishing, hunting, reading, wine making, crossword puzzles, reading comics and growing jalapenos. He was also an avid model railroad collector for many, many years. He was a member of the American Legion (67 years), the VFW, the Knights of Columbus, the Lions Club and the National Model Railroad Association. He received a quilt of honor for his service in March 2022.
George’s Catholic upbringing had a lasting impact on his life. He was a lector at church and made it a point when he moved to Nebraska to go to daily Mass.
George is preceded in death by his parents; sister; mother and father-in-law; one sister-in-law and two brothers-in-law.
George is survived by his wife, Gerda, of 53 years, Friend; children, Michelle Bachtell, Lincoln, Gunther Weamire, Honolulu, Hawaii, Diana (Rod) Krupicka, Milligan, Garth Weamire, Bee Cave, Texas, Gwynn (Bee) Weamire, London, England; brother and sister-in-law, Paul (Carole) Weamire, Bellevue, Washington; grandchildren, Amber and Michael Bachtell, Marcus, Savana and Cheyenne Krupicka, Emily and Owen Weamire, and Leon Weamire; nephew, Jeff; nieces, Ludgardis, Carolyn Jean, and Christina and many other family and friends.
A Mass of Christian Burial was Feb. 22 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Friend with Father Leo Seiker and Father Brendan Kelly presiding. Organist, Alphe Manalili, accompanied the congregation as they sang, “Amazing Grace,” “Hosea (Come Back To Me),” “One Bread, One Body,” “Hail, Holy Queen Enthroned Above,” “Song Of Farewell” and “How Great Thou Art.”
Pallbearers included Gunther Weamire, Garth Weamire, Gwynn Weamire, Marcus Krupicka, Michael Bachtell and Jeff Weamire. Honorary Pallbearers were Savana Krupicka, Cheyenne Kupicka, Amber Bachtell, Emily Weamire, Owen Weamire and Leon Weamire.
Military graveside services were conducted by the Friend American Legion – Ford-Banka Post #183 and the United States Air Force Honor Guard following the funeral mass in the St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery in Friend. Memorial contributions are suggested to the family to be designated at a later date in George's honor. Arrangements by Farmer & Son Funeral Home.
