George Houser

of Lansing, Michigan

George was born August 8, 1918 in Lansing, the son of Fred A. Houser Sr. and Mame Healy Houser. Died: September 9, 2007 at Hospice House of Mid Michigan. He is survived by his wife Nelcie, together they enjoyed 56 years of marriage; daughter Susan (Jeff) Ellsworth, granddaughter: Sarah Ellsworth, of Minneapolis, MN; son: Kevin Houser of Eastpointe, MI; grandson: Joseph (his fiancé, Heather) Houser of Fort Collins, CO; and sister: Ellen Hauser. He was predeceased by his parents, brother Fred A. Houser Jr. and his first wife Rachel (Kevin's Mother) in 1948. George treasured his formal education as provided by the Sisters of Charity at St. Mary School under the Pastorship of Fr. John O'Rafferty from 1923 to 1935 when he graduated at the age of 16. After nominal jobs, the first which paid $1.00 per day, he gained employment with the State of Michigan, Secretary of State Department in 1937, where he worked for four years. In 1941 he was hired by Oldsmobile Division of General Motors. Following Pearl Harbor, George enlisted in the Marines in January 1942. He was attached to the First Marine Division and participated in the first offensive of World War II, the capture and defense of Guadalcanal for (67) days. During that time, a Marine coined the phrase: "There are no atheists in foxholes." After state side duty, he was again sent overseas in 1945 for the training and the invasion of Japan. Code name for this operation was "Operation Downfall". As we all know, the atom bomb put an end to the War in the Pacific. Returning to the United States he was honorably discharged from the Marines with the rank of First Sergeant, and returned to Oldsmobile, where he retired in 1979 as a Divisional Buyer after 38 years of service. George was engaged in genealogical research for 10 years and published two "Family Trees" covering the heritage of his Mother and Father. He and Nelcie attended many Marine Corps Reunions, was a member of the First Marine Division and Guadalcanal Campaign Veterans Associations. He was also a life member of Morley S. OatesVFW-701 of Lansing, MI. He was a Charter Member of St. Gerard Church and an active Vincentian (St. Vincent DePaul Society) for 42 years. Visitation will be from 6-8 P.M. Monday and 2-4, 6-8 P.M. Tuesday with a 7:00 P.M. Tuesday Vigil Rosary in the Tiffany Funeral Home, 3232 W. Saginaw, Lansing. The Funeral Liturgy will be held at 11:00 A.M. Wednesday, September. 12th, St. Gerard Church, 4437 W. Willow Hwy. With Fr. John P. Klein officiating. Viewing will be from 10 to 11 A.M. Wednesday at church. Burial and Military Honors will be in St. Joseph Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, any contributions can be made to St. Gerard Church or St. Vincent DePaul Society of St. Gerard, or Hospice House in memory of George. Friends may visit the guestbook at www.tiffanyfuneralhome.com