April
23, 1914 - May 31, 2010SOUTH BEND - George Edward Foree, Sr., 96, of South Bend, departed this life at 4:30 a.m. May 31, 2010, after a sudden illness at Morningside Nursing and Memory Care Center, 18325 Bailey Avenue. George was one of eight children born to the union of Mr. Thomas Foree and Mrs. Katie Browder Foree on April 23, 1914, in Villa Ridge, Illinois. George served in the United States Navy Reserve during World War II aboard the USS Tawakoni in the Philippines as a steward's mate. During his service, he received the American Area Medal, two Asiatic-Pacific Stars, the Philippine Liberation Medal and the Victory Medal. He received an Honorable Discharge in 1945. In 1946, in South Bend, Indiana, he met and married Clara Wade, who preceded him in death. George worked as a driver at Bendix Aviation Corporation which later became Allied Signal, and then Honeywell. He retired in 1976. George was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting and fishing. He loved gardening, and until recently would plant a vegetable garden for fresh produce and flowers to beautify his home. He was meticulous about his appearance, and always wanted to look his best. George was a godly man, who confessed Christ in his latter years, and expressed his belief in a True and Living God. Throughout his life he was a good husband, father and neighbor. George was also preceded in death by a daughter, Mrs. Karen Sue Turner; his parents, Thomas and Katie Foree; four sisters, Mrs. Amelia Hunt, Mrs. Mary Ruffin, Mrs. Tina Handy and Mrs. Marie Powell; two brothers, Jesse Phillips Foree and Homer Foree, a brother who died at birth; and a cousin, Cletus Burrell. George is survived by his son, George Edward Foree Jr., and his daughter-in-law, Quintelia Natina Gathright, both of South Bend. Also mourning his passing are a sister, Helen D. Wynns, also of South Bend; three grandchildren, Angel Foree of Louisville, Kentucky, Keyshawn, Foree and LaMincia Foree, both of South Bend; three nephews, Jesse Phillips Foree Jr. of Morrow, Georgia, Lyon (Ann) Rodgers of Ullin, Illinois, Gregory Lloyd of South Bend; three nieces, Saiedah Foree of Cincinnati, Ohio, Coryliss L. Wynns and Marcedis Wynns, both of Mishawaka, Indiana; a special friend, Ms. Annie Anthony of South Bend; along with a host of other relatives and friends. Funeral service is scheduled for Monday at 12 noon in Alford's Mortuary, with the visitation at 11:00 a.m. Monday, and with burial following at Riverview Cemetery. Arrangements have been entrusted to Alford's Mortuary where messages of bereavement may be e-mailed to [email protected], c/o the Foree family.