George L. Dey

ST. JOSEPH – George Lawrence Dey, 90, of St. Joseph died Thursday, May 6, 2010, at Lakeland Regional Medical Center, St. Joseph surrounded by his family. Friends may visit from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Sunday, May 9, at the Dey Florin Funeral Home, 2506 Niles Avenue, St. Joseph. A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, May 10, 2010 at Peace Lutheran Church, 3590 Lincoln Avenue, St. Joseph, with Pastors Franz Brandenburg and Ronald Schmidt officiating. Memorials in his memory may be made to the Peace Lutheran Church Expansion Fund or the Berrien County Cancer Service. George was born July 24, 1919 on the Dey Centennial Farm in Fowlerville, Michigan, to Ora and Neita Dey, the fourth of six children. He graduated from Fowlerville High School at the age of 16. After high school, he attended the Business Institute in Detroit, Michigan, and was employed by the Bank of Detroit. He was drafted into the army at the beginning of World War II and served in the European Theatre of Operations in the field artillery. George was honorably discharged in 1945 as a First Lieutenant. George married his sweetheart Mary Carolyn Petersen in November 1947. He attended Wayne State University where he earned his degree in Mortuary Science with honors. Upon his graduation, he established the Dey Brothers Funeral Home in 1947 in St. Joseph with his brother Harding. The Dey brothers subsequently established a second funeral home in Benton Harbor to serve that community. The existing award-winning funeral home was built at the current location on Niles Avenue in St. Joseph in 1962. He also served as the Berrien County Coroner for a number of years. George sold the funeral home upon his retirement in 1975. George was a member of Kiwanis since 1949, served as president in 1967, and was the oldest active Kiwanian in St. Joseph. He recently received an award for 60 years of service. George was a board member of the Berrien County Cancer Service for over 50 years; a volunteer for St. Joseph Today; a life member of the Michigan Funeral Directors Association; a founding member of Peace Lutheran Church; a Trinity School Board of Education member, a Trinity Lutheran Church Boy Scout Master; and a member of the Sinawik Investment Club. He was also active in the March of Dimes and the United Way. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Mary; four daughters, Christine (Steve) Eckert of Grand Haven, Carolyn (Jerry) Frank of St. Joseph, Cathey (Frank) Pastrick of St. Joseph, and Cindy (Kevin) Doroh of Stevensville; twelve grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by parents Ora and Neita; brothers Harding, Ted, and Harry; and sisters Marion and Marjorie. George will always be remembered as a wonderful husband, father, and grandfather, an outstanding gentleman, a magnificent dresser, and an inspiration to all that encountered him over the many wonderful years of his life. Those wishing to share a memory of George or encourage the family are encouraged to sign the guest book at www.legacyfuneral.com The family is being served by Legacy Family Funeral Services- Matthew R. Purchase Chapel, Berrien Springs.

Tributes

George L. Dey

July 24, 1919 - May 6, 2010