George E. Fennimore, 86, a lifelong resident of Jonesboro, Indiana, passed away peacefully on June 7, 2022. He was born on 1st and Main in Jonesboro to Robert Fennimore and Mildred (Esterline) Myers. He married Joan “Dubie” Fennimore on July 14, 1956, and she preceded him in death on January 6, 2017.
George attended Mississinewa Schools. He was a mechanic at RCA from 1955-1995, and he never met an engine that he could not repair. He was a lover of cars and motorcycles, and he enjoyed restoring classic cars. He was a member of the Rodmasters Car Club for years, and he spent many wonderful weekends with Dubie showcasing their 1939 Ford Coupe. A visit with George often meant a visit to his shop in the garage, where the door was always open, and the classic country music played as his grease-covered hands fixed anything a friend or neighbor would need help with.
George was a long-time member of the American Legion Post 95, and he was a fierce competitor at Shuffleboard. He had a love of trains from the age of 9, and he could be seen on his front porch in his engineer’s cap or down by the tracks with his great-grandchildren telling stories of train rides to Marion as a child.
George loved Jonesboro, having been raised on Fairmount Avenue and then raising his sons there as well. His family joked that he was the unofficial “mayor”, who did not know a stranger in town. He could tell stories that would long have been forgotten without his sharp-as-a-tack memory, of childhood “uptown” and of crawdads in the creek. George loved his family deeply and unconditionally. He surrounded himself with the many photos he captured over the years of his children and grandchildren, and he would smile with pride as he talked of each of them. He loved his friends as though they were family, and he would give the shirt off of his back to a friend or neighbor in need. His wife, Dubie, was the great love of his life and, before her death, they celebrated 50 years of marriage. They could often be seen hand-in-hand on the front porch. For the past five years, his dear friend, Sue Reeder, sat faithfully by his side, caring for him until his final breaths with a tender and gentle love he shared for her.
George, with his love and joy for his family and friends, will be deeply missed by survivors, including his sons, Steve (Kent Shuff) Fennimore and David (Statia Massafaro) Fennimore; five grandchildren, Katie (Jonathan) Perez, Betsy (Debbie) Koliba, Megan (Jarret) Schenk, Nicole Fennimore, and Cole Fennimore; five great-grandchildren, Tyler, Trevor, Lizzie, and Lainey Morgan, and Hazel Koliba. He is also survived by a brother, Robert (Michele) Fennimore; sister, Roseanna (Larry) Giannuzzi; step-brother, Chuck (Noreen) Bailey; friend and partner, Sue Reeder; a host of nieces and nephews; and his best girl, his dog, Fannie.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Dubie; parents; brother, William “Billy” Fennimore; and his very special grandmother, Marie Esterline Bobo.
The family will receive visitors from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm on Monday, June 13, 2022, at Needham-Storey-Wampner Funeral Service, Storey Chapel, 400 E. Main St., Gas City, IN 46933.
On Tuesday, June 14, 2022, a funeral service to celebrate George’s life will take place at Storey Chapel at 1:00 pm, preceded by an additional hour of visitation from 12:00 noon to 1:00 pm. Burial will follow at Riverside Cemetery in Gas City.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Marion-Grant County Humane Society, P.O. Box 1921, Marion, IN 46952 in honor of his many rescued pets and furry companions throughout his lifetime.
Memories may be shared online at www.nswcares.com.
To send flowers to the family of George, please visit our floral store.