George Boder

George Boder, age 88, passed away peacefully on February 16, 2026, in Knoxville, Tennessee, and he will deeply missed. He lived a life defined by his unwavering commitment to family and deep patriotism. It seems fitting that he passed away on President's Day.

George was born on April 13, 1937, in Freeland, Pennsylvania, to John Paul and Mary (Machella) Boder. He was the youngest of twelve Boder children. He graduated from St. Anne's High School in 1954 and proceeded to serve in the US Air Force until 1958. He attended jet engine school at Chanute Air Force base in Illinois prior to his assignment as a jet engine mechanic at Luke Air Force Base in Arizona. He served as jet engine shop supervisor on the US military base in Keflvik Iceland, where he also served as crew chief on B-52, KC-135, and various fighter aircraft. He finished his Air Force career at Loring Air Force Base in Maine. He was the youngest Staff Sergeant in the Air Force upon his appointment to that rank. Upon discharge he attended Pennsylvania State University, earning a BS in Bacteriology in 1962. He immediately began what became a thirty-one year career in research at Eli Lilly and Company in Indianapolis, retiring as a Research Scientist. Over his career he played important roles in the development of a number of products, including Lilly's blockbuster chemotherapy drug gemcitabine, and he was a named inventor on fourteen US patents. He retired in 1993.

George married Carla Rose Speth on May 7, 1966, at Sacred Heart Church in Indianapolis, Indiana. The couple moved to Martinsville, Indiana, in 1966 and raised three children - Emil (deceased), Stephanie Caiza Valera, of Grand Junction, CO, and Eric, of Knoxville, TN. They were members of St. Martin of Tours Catholic Parish. After retirement George volunteered as a member of Board of Directors for the Martinsville Community Concerts and as an election inspector for Morgan County and was active with ye Anciente and Secret Order of Quiet Birdmen. In December, 2019, George and Carla relocated to Knoxville to be close to family.

George was known for his intelligence, his clever mechanical ability, his love of Penn State football, his strong opinions, and his ready generosity toward his loved ones and the causes he supported. He enjoyed hunting deer and rabbits, especially with his brothers. George was a commercial and instrumented-rated pilot and moonlighted flying cargo charters during the early part of his career in Indiana, ultimately accumulating more than 5000 hours as pilot-in-command. While he was unable to fly in recent years, he enjoyed passing on his aviation knowledge to his son and making sure he was meticulously taking care of George's beloved Cessna 182.

George and Carla shared a love of traveling, especially in the Southwestern US, an area that George fell in love with during his time in the military in the Phoenix area, and in the Rocky Mountains, where George enjoyed skiing, hiking, and experiencing the beauty of nature. He instilled his love of the mountains in all of his children through numerous family trips, but he was always happiest wherever he was when he was surrounded by family. George was also a fan of classical music, and he and Carla were loyal patrons of the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra.

George is survived by his wife of fifty-nine years Carla (Speth) Boder; daughter Stephanie Caiza Valera; son Eric Boder; son-in-law Juan Caiza Valera; daughter-in-law Marti (Ware) Boder; grandchildren Josie, Ethan, and Rose Boder, and Emil Caiza Valera; and sister Dolores Brosk of Conyngham, PA. George was preceded in death by his son Emil; brothers Emil, John, Joseph, Stephen, and Thomas; and sisters Helen Hvisdas, Agnes Boder, Mary Saseen, and Anne Boder.

A visitation will be held from 4:00 - 6:00 PM on February 24 at Rose Funeral and Cremation, 6200 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, TN 37919, and a Requiem Mass will be celebrated at 10:00 AM on February 25 at the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, 711 South Northshore Drive, Knoxville, TN 37919. In addition, a Memorial Mass will be celebrated on March 18 (time TBA) at St. Martin of Tours Catholic Church, 1709 East Harrison Street, Martinsville, IN 46151, followed by interment at St. Martin's Cemetery. Friends will be received prior to the Mass, and a reception will follow the interment ceremony.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made in George's name to Catholic Relief Services.