George F. Tekker Jr.

Oct. 28, 1916 - Aug. 2, 2009
MISHAWAKA - George F. Tekker Jr., 92, of Mishawaka, passed away at 10:10 a.m. Sunday, August 2, 2009, in Miller's Merry Manor of Wakarusa where he had resided since late 2006. George was born on October 28, 1916, in South Bend, to George F. and Martha (Hammond) Tekker Sr. He attended Kennedy School and Mishawaka High School. He married Dorothy Farrell of South Bend on August 12, 1937. During the war he worked in a shipyard in San Diego, CA, and also did some commercial fishing. He and Dorothy worked side-by-side for many years operating a grocery store/gas station at the corner of Jefferson and Currant roads in Mishawaka. After that, they ran a catering business and later he worked for Ultrafab of Elkhart delivering products. George loved to play cards, golf, and fish, and was a Classic league bowler well into his 80s. He enjoyed talking to people, but after his hearing became a problem, he just greeted people with a smile. His friends and family will miss him dearly. George is survived by two sons, Larry (Kay) Tekker of Loudon, TN, and Thomas (Wanda) Tekker of Mishawaka; eight grandchildren, Brett (Melanie) Tekker of Waxhaw, NC, Matthew Tekker of Kotzebue, AK, Drinda (Bill) Bokhart, Tommy Tekker, Mike (Geni) Dial, Jeff (Lisa) Dial, Denise (Marc) Merrill and Renee Kitts, all of Mishawaka; 17 great-grandchildren and nine great-great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister, Betty Jackson of Elkhart. Visitation will be held from 4:00-7:00 p.m. today, August 4, in Chapel Hill Funeral Home, 10776 McKinley Highway, Osceola. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, August 5, 2009, in the funeral home, with burial to follow at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens, Osceola. The family would like to thank the staff at Miller's Merry Manor for all the love and care given to George during his stay there. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.chapelhillmemorial.com.