HEMM, George J. 1904 - 1988

HEMM, FRAKES, DARLEY

Posted By: Joey Stark
Date: 6/15/2024 at 21:45:53

"The Ottumwa Courier"
Monday, April 4, 1988
Page 8, Column 1

George HEMM

FAIRFIELD -- Former Fairfield Mayor George J. HEMM, 83, of Fairfield died at 11:40 p.m. April 2, 1988, at Jefferson County Hospital in Fairfield.

He was born Sept. 15, 1904, near Chapin to Phillip and Elizabeth FRAKES HEMM. He had been associated with Western Auto Stores from 1929-1970, owning and operating the Fairfield Western Auto from 1946 until he retired in 1970. He was a member of First United Presbyterian Church in Fairfield, a 45-year member and past president of Fairfield Lions Club, 50-year member of the masonic lodge, member of Elks lodge and Izaak Walton League. He was also the past president of Fairfield chamber of Commerce and served on the board of directors for Jefferson County Savings and Loan for many years. He was active in Fairfield Bowling League being a member of two senior citizens bowling teams. He married Alice Bertha DARLEY on June 26, 1930, in Nebraska. She died June 2, 1987.

He is survived by a daughter, Ila Mae HEMM of Renton, Wash.; a son, Roger of Peru, N.Y.; and two grandsons.

The service will be 11 a.m. Tuesday at First United Presbyterian Church in Fairfield, the Rev. Carl Riggs officiating. Burial will be in Evergreen Cemetery.

Family visitation will be 7 to 8 p.m. today at Raymond Funeral Home in Fairfield.

Memorials have been established.

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"The Ottumwa Courier"
Thursday, April 7, 1988
Page 15, Columns 1 and 2

Van Buren County residents mourn loss of friend

Mary Go Round
By Mary Ovrom

Former Fairfield Mayor George J. HEMM, who died April 2 at the age of 83, was responsible for bringing lots of good times down to Van Buren County senior citizens.

George, along with hs pals Leland Blough and Wayne Eckardt of Fairfield, had so much fun with their senior citizen bowling group in Fairfield, they decided to start a similar program in Keosauqua.

The senior bowlers have met for years at the Keosauqua bowling alley on Tuesday afternoons. Although the size of the group varies all the way from three to 15, they always have fun bowling, said Rod Bentzinger, owner-manager of Van Buren Bowl.

A few weeks ago, George bowled a 193, 189 and 153 series, which made his day. Two days later he suffered a stroke that led to his death.

In addition to bowling, George has a long list of civic activities, including his stint as mayor, president of the Lions Club where he was a member for 45 years, 50 years in the Masonic Lodge and membership in Elks, Izaak Wwalton (sic) and past president of the Chamber of Commerce.

Dorothy Hootman of Keosauqua was one of the senior bowlers and said George was always so enthusiastic and so much fun, it was contagious. "And you should have seen him after he bowled that 535 series," she said.

I wish I could have.

His friends say the senior bowling group will continue in Keosauqua.

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*Transcribed for genealogy purposes; I have no relation to the person(s) mentioned.

Note: Buried in Lot 4th.113 with wife Alice.