George W. Egger

George W. Egger, 85, of Danville, Illinois, passed away peacefully, near the beginning of his day on Monday, April 12, 2010, in his winter home in Lake Havasu City, Arizona. George was born on November 27, 1924 in Columbus, Ohio, the son of George L. and Irene M. (Zang) Egger. He married Marjorie Boehm on June 22, 1946, at Holy Cross Church, Columbus, Ohio, officiated by George's cousin, Rev. Linus Dury. George's beloved wife of 63 years, Marjorie, survives. He is also survived by two sons and five daughters - Lynne (Bruce) Terry of Sonora, California, Dr. Marlene J. (Larry Stewart) Egger of Salt Lake City, Utah, George L. (Nancy) Egger of Peoria, Illinois, Leigh A. Egger of Silvis, Illinois, Adriene J. Egger of Danville, Illinois, Paul R. Egger of Lenexa, Kansas, and Lt. Col. Ardyce M. (Col. Patrick) Clements of San Antonio, Texas; two sisters - Mary Schneider, of Columbus, Ohio, and Joann (James) Kingsley, of Beaufort, South Carolina; six grandchildren - Adam Terry of Columbia, California, Melissa and Sarah Egger of Lenexa, Kansas, and Katelin, Jackson and Garrett Clements of San Antonio, Texas; and a very special family, including many beloved nieces and nephews, and many, many outstanding friends worldwide. He was preceded in death by his parents, George L. and Irene M. (Zang) Egger, his youngest daughter, Andrea A. Egger, his sister, Eileen F. Farrell, and his brother, Richard J. Egger. George graduated in 1942 from St. Mary's High School, Columbus, Ohio. He graduated from Ohio State University in 1949, earning a Bachelor's Degree in Chemical Engineering, with additional training in acoustical sound and fire protection engineering. He and Marjorie then moved to Berkeley, Michigan, where he began his lifetime career in the field of electroplating and metal finishing. His first employers were Factory Insurance Association and then Monsanto in Detroit Michigan. George and Marjorie moved to Arlington Heights, Illinois, and employers included Cowles Chemical Company in Chicago, Illinois, before George went into partnership to form Conger Corporation in Chicago, Illinois, of which he was the President for 19 years before retiring in April of 1988. George was baptized Catholic in 1924 and was a lifetime member of the Roman Catholic Church - a member of St. Paul's Catholic Church in Danville, Illinois, and a member of Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church in Lake Havasu City, Arizona. He was a World War II veteran and served in the U.S. Naval Service from his enlistment on October 11, 1943, serving on LCT 1181 and USS ATR 84, and was honorably discharged on April 25, 1946 as Quarter Master, Second Class. George was a long-time amateur radio operator as a hobby and as a volunteer emergency worker with call sign K9ERP. He did volunteer work in Illinois for the Buffalo Grove Police force and was on the Buffalo Grove Police Pistol League. After retirement from Conger Corporation, George got his pilot's license and enjoyed flying private single-engine aircraft - his solo flight was on July 10, 1992 and he got his private pilot's license shortly after. He was a member of AOPA (Airplane Owners and Pilots Association), a member of American Legion Post 210, a lifetime member of National Rifle Association, and a member of Elks Chapter in Danville, Illinois. For more biographical information and links, see George W. Egger's listing in Facebook, which he wrote in the past year. George loved gadgets and all things mechanical, studied watchmaking, did watch repair and was a professional photographer to pay his way through college, and built a home computer before computers were on the market. George was also very musical - he played the trumpet in high school, and also played the accordion and organ, and was also quite skilled on the harmonica. He loved sharing his hobbies and he dearly loved spending time with his family and friends, and will be greatly missed and always loved. A Mass of Christian Burial for George W. Egger will be at 10 am Monday, April 19, 2010 at St. Paul's Roman Catholic Church, Danville, Illinois, with Father Greg Nelson officiating. A visitation will be from 2 pm to 4 pm Sunday, April 18, 2010 at Sunset Funeral Home and Cremation Center, Danville, Illinois. He will be laid to rest in Danville National Cemetery on Tuesday, April 20, 2010 at 10:00 a.m., with full military rites being conducted by American Legion Post #210. Memorials of the donor's choice may be sent to St. Paul's Roman Catholic Church, Danville, Illinois and/or Our Lady of the Lakes, Lake Havasu City, Arizona. Memorial service in Lake Havasu City, Arizona to follow at a future date. E-mail condolences may be sent to the family at: www.sunsetfuneralhome.com.