George "Tommy" Mensch Jr.

George “Tommy” Mensch, born February 16, 1934, in Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania, went home to be with the Lord on September 17, 2026, leaving behind a family who loved him deeply and a lifetime of memories, laughter, stories, and traditions that will continue to be shared for generations.

To those who knew him, Tommy was hard to forget. He was a devoted father, a much-loved “Poppy,” a loyal brother, brother-in-law, and friend, and quite often the life of the party. He worked hard, loved his family, and found happiness in the simple things: a beautiful yard, birds outside his window, a good breakfast, his Tasties, and just about any opportunity to exercise.

Tommy lived life in motion. Whether he was walking, working in his yard, traveling with friends, or simply enjoying time with the people he loved, he believed in staying active and making the most of the life he had been given.

Tommy proudly served his country in the United States Air Force from 1954 to 1958, spending two years stationed in Fairbanks, Alaska, working in finance. While there, he played baseball and remained especially proud of the championship his team won during his service.

Tommy later attended college in Washington, D.C., earning a degree in accounting.

In 1957, Tommy married Helen Dolores Mausteller in Berwick, Pennsylvania. They honeymooned in the Pocono Mountains and began their married life in Beltsville, Maryland.

Following the Air Force, Tommy worked for the American Red Cross, assisting with disaster-relief efforts in New Bern, North Carolina, and Wilmington, Delaware. He later worked for Page Engineers and Wilcox Electric.

In 1975, Wilcox transferred Tommy and his family to Overland Park, Kansas. Helen initially hated the thought of moving. She had always dreamed of traveling to France and Europe, and the move ultimately led to her teaching at The Barstow School and provided opportunities for several wonderful trips abroad.

After Wilcox, Tommy worked for Bendix/King Corporation. In later years, he also worked with the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Kansas City and the City of Overland Park, doing watering and landscaping, and made deliveries for Fox Hill Medical Supply.

Tommy lost his beloved first wife, Helen, in 1992. He later found companionship and love again, marrying Rosemary Godbout in 1994.

Following retirement, Tommy and Rosemary moved to Bella Vista, Arkansas, in 2000, where Tommy spent 22 wonderful years of his nearly 30 years of retirement. Bella Vista was a perfect fit for him and gave him the opportunity to enjoy so many of the things he loved—exercising, traveling, working in his beautiful wooded yard, watching the birds, walking, enjoying good breakfasts, making friends, laughing, and, most importantly, spending time with the people he loved.

Those years became even more special when his sister, Peggy, and brother-in-law, Ronald Olmstead, moved from Pennsylvania to Bella Vista. Tommy was extremely grateful for the opportunity to have them nearby and for the years of memories, laughter, activities, and time they shared together.

Tommy had a genuine gift for landscaping and gardening and passed this knowledge on to his children. His appreciation for nature extended beyond his own property. He was passionate about keeping the environment clean and was known for picking up trash along roads while walking.

Exercise was simply part of who Tommy was, and tennis was a particular passion. For many years, he spent winters in Destin, Florida, forming friendships with tennis players from across the country. He also enjoyed memorable tennis trips with his brother-in-law Ronald and friends from Kansas and Pennsylvania.

Tommy had an unmistakable sense of humor. He loved to laugh, tease, tell stories, and make people smile. His jokes occasionally wandered into territory that wasn’t entirely appropriate—which usually made Tommy think they were even funnier. It was all part of the personality that made him so memorable to those who knew and loved him.

To his grandchildren, he was lovingly known as “Poppy.” For many of their childhood years, Poppy delighted in playing Santa Claus, something that brought him tremendous joy. Seeing the excitement on his grandchildren’s faces created treasured family traditions and memories they will carry throughout their lives.

Tommy also loved life’s simple pleasures. A good morning often meant exercise followed by breakfast—poached eggs or blueberry pancakes with bacon were favorites. He loved his jams and jellies and, of course, his Tasties!

After breaking his right hip in 2022 and beginning to experience the effects of dementia, the difficult decision was made for Tommy to leave the independent lifestyle he loved in Bella Vista and move to an independent living community in Apex, North Carolina, where he could be closer to two of his three children and several of his grandchildren as it became clear he would need more care and support in the years ahead. Even as life changed, his desire to remain active never disappeared. He maintained the desire to keep moving, keep going, and keep living.

Above everything else, Tommy loved his family. The lessons he passed along—humor, appreciating and caring for the outdoors, and knowing that a beautiful yard requires a little sweat—will continue through his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

Tommy was preceded in death by his beloved first wife, Helen Dolores Mensch; his second wife, Rosemary Godbout; his parents, Margaret and George Mensch; Catherine Mensch; and his brother, Terry Mensch.

He is survived by his daughter Lisa Oliver and her husband, Cary, of Overland Park, Kansas, and their three children, Scott and wife Melanie, Katie and husband Tony, and Paul and wife Lindsay, and great-grandsons Carson and Brody; his daughter Laurie Nelson and her husband, Kevin, of Four Oaks, North Carolina, and their three children, Jessica and partner Damon, Megan, and Grace, and great-granddaughter Santana; and his son Steven Mensch and his wife, Keylan, of Apex, North Carolina, and their five children, Payton and his wife, Merrisa, MacKenzie and husband Andrew, Jaelin, Davin, and Erin, and great-grandson Rylan.

Tommy is also survived by his beloved sister, Peggy Olmstead; his niece, Elizabeth Olmstead, and her children, Ava and Caroline; his nephew, Ronald Olmstead; Rosemary’s children, Sue Godbout and David Godbout; and the many friends he made throughout his long life.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions in Tommy’s honor to the Wounded Warrior Project or the Dementia Society of America. These organizations honor two meaningful parts of Tommy’s life—his service to his country and the challenges he and his family faced with dementia.

You were deeply loved, you gave us a lifetime of stories and laughter, and you will be greatly missed.

Keep exercising your way through Heaven.

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