George P. Portz

1952 - 2023

George P. Portz
October 17, 1952 - January 9, 2023
Shiloh, Illinois - George Perry Portz, 70, of Shiloh, IL, passed away suddenly and unexpectedly on Monday, January 9, 2023, doing what he had for 70 years - serving and helping other people. George's passing leaves a great void in the lives of those who followed and loved him as a father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and cherished friend. Throughout his life, George wore many hats as a landlord, musician, and coach. George had a far-reaching and inspirational impact as a Shiloh resident, business owner, and active member of the community.
George was born on October 17, 1952, in Granite City, IL to Harold W. and Kathaleen C. Portz (née Biggs). The family moved to Shiloh, IL in 1964, establishing their roots and purchasing Shiloh Mobile Home Park. George took over the family business and became the owner and operator of the park in 1988.
George grew to be an iconic entertainer, nationally and internationally recognized as one of the finest olde time fiddlers in the United States. His talents led him to be the youngest fiddler to win the Illinois State Open Fiddle Championship at the age of sixteen in 1969. He graduated from O'Fallon Township High School in 1970, where he was the captain of the wrestling team and a member of the Belleville Jr. Philharmonic. After high school, he toured with the Goins Brothers Bluegrass group of Kentucky from 1973 to 1975. In 1973 he performed with legendary "Father of Bluegrass," Bill Monroe, on the stage of the Grand Ole Opry, at the Smithsonian Folk Life Festival, and at the White House for then-President Richard M. Nixon. He returned home from the road in 1976, and in 1978, George formed his own group, The Friends of Bluegrass, which became one of the most active and longest-running bluegrass bands. George won the coveted National "Open" Fiddle Championship in 1981. The band performed for U.S. President Ronald Reagan, at the 1986 Illinois State Fair in Springfield.
For 44 years, he was the foremost bluegrass music promoter and ambassador for traditional music in the St. Louis area. He was awarded the prestigious Legacy Award by the State of Illinois in 2014 for his contributions in preserving, promoting, and perpetuating Bluegrass and other Traditional Americana music forms. George and the Friends of Bluegrass performed with or opened for many other national artists including John Hartford, Alison Krauss, Charlie Daniels, Johnny Gimble, Riders in The Sky, 'Pappy' Wade Ray, Michael Martin Murphy, Patsy Montana, and Rhonda Vincent.
Carrying on a tradition instilled in him by his grandfather Perry Biggs, George mentored and taught a staggering number of students the art of fiddlin'. Several of his pupils went on to perform on the stage of the Grand Ole Opry. In one of his proudest accomplishments, his former student Alison Krauss gained national acclaim as a Grammy award-winning national recording artist. Alison acknowledged George on her first recording, for giving her the start she needed to succeed in the music world.
George also loved sports and mentoring young athletes. After earning a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville in 1981, he became the head wrestling coach at Collinsville High School. From 1981-1998, George shaped the lives of many young men and athletes. In those seventeen seasons, his teams won a regional title in 1991 and had 4 state-place winners among 242 dual meet victories. He achieved a career 242-135-4 record.
Although George was renowned as one of the Midwest's most talented musicians and bluegrass music promoters, the accomplishments he most treasured were the relationships he had with his family, including the apples of his eye, grandsons Mason and Trae. George's friends and family thought he would Always be here, like the mountain that he was. Like the jokes he always told and the plaid shirts he always wore. George had a smile, a joke, and an encouraging word for everyone he encountered. He was a jewel. One of a kind. An inspiration. He made the world a brighter place and touched an immeasurable number of lives. The next generation will not have a George Portz, but his legacy will certainly be carried on.
George is survived by his three children, Jason Portz of O'Fallon, IL, Justin (fiancée, Dominika Burek) Portz of Boston, MA, Kaitlin (R.J.) Huelsman of Freeburg, IL; significant other, Deanna "Dee" Hardgrave of Columbia, IL; three siblings, Gene (Vicki) Sine of Collinsville, IL, Gerald Portz of Shiloh, IL, Flo McDaniel of Lebanon, IL; two grandchildren, Mason Portz, Trae Huelsman; four nieces and nephews, Todd Sine, Kirk Sine, Marc Sine, Rebecca McDaniel; one great-nephew, Ryan Sine; and mother to Justin and Kaitlin, Katherine Pohlman.
Memorial donations may be made to Bank of O'Fallon, c/o "George Portz Memorial Scholarship Fund," 901 South Lincoln Ave; O'Fallon, IL 62269. Condolences may be extended to the family online at www.schildknechtfh.com.
A visitation will take place on Thursday, January 19, 2023, from 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM at Schildknecht Funeral Home; 301 S. Lincoln Ave., O'Fallon, IL 62269.
Funeral services will take place on Friday, January 20, 2023, at 1:00 PM at Shiloh Methodist Church; 210 S. Main St., Shiloh, IL 62269. Visitation will begin an hour prior to the service at the church.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Schildknecht Funeral Home, O'Fallon, IL.