George J. KELEHER

KELEHER, DAVIS, OLSON, GOOD

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 5/5/2014 at 12:49:21

January 19, 1926 --- May 1, 2014

George J. Keleher, 88, died on Thursday May 1, 2014 at Frey Village, Middletown, PA. He was born on January 19, 1926 in Eagle Grove, IA. He was the son of James Peter and Emma Grace (nee Davis) Keleher. He was preceded in death by his parents, infant son and sister. George was a World War II veteran, a bronze star recipient serving in the United States Army Air Corps with the rank of Sergeant, serving flying missions out of the Aleutian Islands as a B-24 nose turret gunner. He was an active member of the First Congressional [Congregational] Church in Belmond and Algona, IA. George was active in the Masonic Lodge and business community, including the Chamber of Commerce and Toastmaster Club. He and his wife Helen moved to Elizabethtown in 2004 and have resided in Frey Village, Middletown, PA since 2009.

He married Helen Virginia Olson on March 10, 1946 in the English Lutheran Church, Webster City, IA. They opened an Army and Navy Surplus store in Eagle Grove, IA in 1946 and concentrated in the clothier business thru 1988 with a stop in Belmond, IA in 1953-1968 and ending in Algona, IA, where they retired from a men's and boy's clothing store. A highlight of his career was serving for one year on the Board of Directors of the Minneapolis-based clothing cooperative Northwest Buyers and Jobbers. George's hobbies included fishing, golfing, and motorcycling with his wife Helen and their many friends. Everyone will miss his pleasant smile.

George is survived by his loving wife, Helen Virginia Keleher and his children Georgia Karin Good and husband Dale of Maytown, PA; Timothy John Keleher and wife Carol of St. Petersburg, FL; five grandchildren, Jeffrey Dale Good and wife Ashley of West Springfield, VA, Christopher George Good of Maytown, PA; Timothy John Keleher II of St. Petersburg, FL; George James Keleher of Seattle, WA; Nickolas Eric Keleher of St. Petersburg, FL; and three great grandchildren: Ava Marie Good of West Springfield , VA; Anna Corinne Good of West Springfield, VA and Alexander James Keleher, of Seattle, WA.

Memorial Services for George will be held at the Elizabethtown Church of the Brethren (ECOB), 777 South Mt. Joy Street, Elizabethtown, PA on Thursday, May 8, with Pastor Pam Reist ECOB and Pastor Art Sonnenberg, Chaplain of Frey Village, Middletown officiating. Visitation will begin at 10 AM and be followed by the Memorial Service at 11 AM and a light lunch at Noon in the church basement. At the request of the family, burial will be private at Good's Mennonite Church Cemetery, West Donegal Township, Lancaster, PA. Memorial Contributions can be made to the Diakon Wilderness Center for Pennsylvania Children and Youth at 571 Mountain Road, P.O. Box 10, Boiling Springs, PA 17007-0010 and the Elizabethtown Church of the Brethren, Building Fund, 777 South Mt. Joy Street, Elizabethtown, PA 17022 and Hospice of Central Pennsylvania, 1320 Linglestown Road, Harrisburg, PA 17110. The Keleher’s have entrusted the care of the Matinchek and Daughter Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Inc., 260 East Main St. Middletown, PA to handle the arrangements.