George R. Kennedy 1923-2005

KENNEDY, HAIGH, SCHMITT, MARTELLE, SCHMIT, COATES, SPOERL, CHEESE, PINT, FRANZEN, LANGTIMM, VOSBERG, GASSMAN, CONNOLLY, OSWALD, STEVE

Posted By: Cheryl Locher Moonen (email)
Date: 10/9/2015 at 21:29:42

George R. Kennedy, 82, of 3860 Cora Drive, died peacefully, Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2005, at home, with his family at his side.

Services will be at 11 a.m. Friday at Hoffmann, Schneider and Kitchen Funeral Chapel, 3860 Asbury Road. Friends may call from 2 to 8 p.m. today at Hoffmann, Schneider and Kitchen Funeral Home.

He was born on May 6, 1923, in Dubuque, son of George Sr. and Lillian (Haigh) Kennedy. He married Mary Lavonne Schmitt on March 15, 1947, in Dubuque.

He served in the Army from 1943 to 1945 during World War II.

He was a longtime self-employed builder, contractor and developer. He was a business partner with his son, Gary, for 37 years. George was proud of developing the Sun Valley Sub Division in Asbury, Iowa, along with his friends, Bob Steichen and Ed Tschiggfrie. He also was co-owner of Windsor Park Retirement Home. He wanted seniors to have a safe place to live. He and his wife are co-owners of Granny's Greeting Cards.

George was an animal lover. Any stray dog or cat that found their way to his home, found a way into his heart.

He camped at Jellystone for many years. He loved spending time in Florida, especially Disney World. George was happiest on his John Deere bulldozer, moving earth.

God will be smiling when he gets to heaven to continue his work.

He will be deeply missed by his wife of 58 years, Mary Lavonne (Schmitt) Kennedy; two daughters, Barbara (Chuck) Martelle and Georgia (Tim) Schmit; four sons, Gary (Kathy) Kennedy, Patrick (Patricia) Kennedy, Robert Kennedy and Richard (Daisey) Kennedy; 18 grandchildren, Gary Jr. (Chris), Jeff (Stacy), Joey (Amanda) and Danny Kennedy, Lisa (Lenny) Kemp, Mary (Jamie) Coates, Kenny Martelle, Keith Martelle, Timmy (Kim Glanz) Schmit, Melissa (Todd) Spoerl, Amanda (Brian) Cheese, Gina (Jeremy) Pint, Tiffany Kennedy, Jacque Kennedy, Tommy, Bobby and Dana Kennedy and Kim (Aaron) Franzen; 23 great-grandchildren and one on the way; three sisters, Juanita Oswald, Jeanne (Duane) Langtimm and Joan (Terry) Vosberg; five brothers, Jack (Moomie) Kennedy, Jim (Deanne) Kennedy, Jerry (Joyce) Kennedy, Sonny (Rayetta) Gassman and Terry (Tammie) Gassman; a sister-in-law, Sandy Connolly; and a brother-in-law, Robert Connolly.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his mother-in-law, Regina Schmitt; his father-in-law, Leland Schmitt; a granddaughter, Laura Martelle; a brother, Robert Kennedy; two brothers-in-law, Leo Oswald and Al Steve Sr.; and his dog, Homer.

In lieu of flowers, a George R. Kennedy Memorial Fund has been established.

Thanks to Hospice, especially Renee, Dr. Iverson, his caregivers, Melissa, Phyllis, and Leslie, and Doug and his staff at Vita Care.

That man is special who dares to dream and pursues it, using his head for himself and his heart for others. That man is special who strives to leave the world better than he found it.

Telegraph Herald (Dubuque, IA) - Thursday, August 11, 2005