John Benjamin George

John B. (Ben) George, age 93, died peacefully on October 1, 2015 in Phoenix, Arizona, surrounded by his loving family. He was born in Beloit, Wisconsin, in 1922, the son of John B. and Rose George. Ben graduated from Brother Dutton School in Beloit and Campion Jesuit High School in Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin and earned a degree in business from the University of Notre Dame.

A man of faith, Ben had priorities and lived accordingly: God, Country and Notre Dame. He was a WWII Army veteran and Purple Heart recipient, having been wounded at Hannover, Germany. After graduation from the University of Notre Dame in 1947, he returned to his hometown of Beloit, Wisconsin. There he married his sweetheart from Indiana, Olive Windbiel, and raised his family. He joined the family business, George Brothers Fine Clothing for Men and Boys. As a man who appreciated and wore fashionable clothing, he helped many gentlemen to look their best over the years. He was also a longtime member of the Beloit Country Club.

Even after his retirement and subsequent move to Florida and then Arizona, Ben continued to be at home in church, on a golf course and navigating an ice cream sundae. He was a member of the community at Corpus Christi Catholic Church. Ever a staunch supporter of small businesses, he worked for the US Chamber of Commerce and volunteered at St. John’s Nursing Center, where his visits cheered patients. He and Olive moved to Phoenix in 2004 and spent many happy retirement years at their home overlooking the 8th fairway of Ahwatukee Country Club. He was often heard to comment that his loved ones “warmed the cockles” of his heart. His family certainly felt that he warmed theirs over the years, and he will be sorely missed.

He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Olive, four children, Ann Jahr (Ralph) of Roseville, California, John George (Lori) of Livermore, California, William George (Lynne) of Alamo, California, and Mary Rupp (John) of Phoenix, Arizona. His six grandchildren and four great grandchildren warmed the cockles of his heart and brought great joy to his life.

He was predeceased by his parents and his brothers William and Richard George. He is survived by two sisters: Sara Crave (Robert) of Waterloo, Wisconsin and Rosemary Sheehan of St. Charles, Illinois, and many dear nieces and nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews. The Funeral Mass will be held on October 19 at 10 am at Corpus Christi Catholic Church – 3550 E. Knox Rd., Phoenix. A reception will follow in the Parish Center. Burial will be at the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona at 2:30 pm on October 19. In lieu of flowers, to honor Ben, the family requests a donation to a charity of your choice or to Ben’s university alma mater, the University of Notre Dame. https://supporting.nd.edu/ways-to-give/make-a-memorial-gift/ Arrangements are under the care of Resthaven/Carr-Tenney Mortuary in Phoenix, Arizona. http://resthavencarrtenney.com