Service on May 5
George D. Vann, 99, passed from this life on February 18, 2018 after a brief illness
While visiting his daughter in Waddell, AZ. George was born on June 29, 1918 in Chicago, to Mabel Margaret (nee Rinkenberger) and Dr. George H. Vann (DDS). He was the eldest of four children: Mabel Joyce (Thielk), Joseph Albert, and Robert Donald. He graduated from York Community H.S. in 1936. In January of 1941, he enlisted in the Army Air Corps serving until November, 1945. On Dec. 31, 1945 George began a long and successful career at Illinois Bell after which, he retired in March, 1982. George married Ruth Brieschke on January 16, 1943. George and Ruth were blessed with two children, George Jr. (Elizabeth) and Barbara (Stephen Harrell). Besides raising a family and building his family’s home with the help of his brothers, George was very involved in his children’s schools serving as a member of the PTA. George was also a long time member of St. Peter’s Church in Elmhurst and active in many areas of the church. George was a member and officer of the Elmhurst Historical Society. George was an avid genealogist and a founding member of the Genealogical Forum of Elmhurst. George and his wife Ruth enjoyed traveling to many areas of the country, but after his retirement in 1982, they traveled not only for fun, but to find more info about his family’s history. After Ruth’s death in 1997, George continued to travel visiting family and friends. George will be dearly missed by his children; five grandsons; a granddaughter-in-law; two great-granddaughters; and numerous nieces, nephews, neighbors, and friends. George was preceded in death by his wife Ruth; his parents Mable Margaret and George Henry; parents-in-law Elsie (Martens) and Walter E. Brieschke; his sister Joyce and her husband Carl Thielk; brothers Joe and Bob and their spouses Elaine and Margaret Vann; sister-in-law June Dyson; brother-in-law “Bud” Brieschke and his wife Opal; two nephews, two great nephews; and many close friends. A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, May 5, 2018, at St. Peter’s United Church of Christ, 125 Church St. Elmhurst, IL. A Memorial Gathering will begin at 10 a.m. at the church with a service following at 11 a.m. Interment at Mt. Emblem Cemetery, 520 E. Grand, Elmhurst, will follow the service. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Peter’s Memorial Fund or to their Organ Fund or to a charity of your choice. Arrangements by Ahlgrim Funeral Home. For more information, call 630-834-3515 or visit ahlgrim.com.
