George Gohn, 84, passed away July 10, 2010 after an extended illness.

George was born to the late Ira and Marble Gohn on Oct. 3, 1925. On May 30, 1948 he married the former Mary Jane Holtz, who preceded him in death on March 9, 2000. They raised three children and lived their entire lives in Cassopolis until 2005, when George moved to The Waterford, an independent retirement community in Mishawaka.

George graduated from Ferris State University in 1949 with a degree in pharmacy. He went into business with his father, Ira Gohn, who owned Gohn Drug Store in Cassopolis. Upon his father’s retirement, George and his wife, Mary Jane, purchased the store and continued to operate Gohn Drug Store until George’s retirement in 1991.

George was a diehard Cubs fan. He loved playing the organ and spending time with his family. He also enjoyed traveling, especially to Florida and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.

George made friends with a stray, sick cat, who he nursed back to health. “Buddy” became George’s special friend who never left his side.

George belonged to the Exchange Club, the Optimist Club and the Cassopolis Chamber of Commerce. George was also a member of the Cassopolis Village Council, the Cassopolis Summerfest and a lifetime member of the Thespian Club. Up until a few years ago, George continued to drive to Cassopolis to remain a member of the Council on Aging “Coffee Clutch.”

George is survived by three children, Barbara Carter and her husband, Mike, of Zephyrhills, Fla., Nancy Wiseman and her husband, Doug, of Granger and James Gohn and his wife, Pam, of Cassopolis; a sister, Dorothy Gohn, of Chicago; seven grandchildren, Martin Parrish (Kelli), of Mishawaka, Nathan (Gohn) Rhoades, of Memphis, Tenn., Jenna Higbee (Chris), of Daytona Beach, Fla., Rachel and David Sexton, of Cassopolis, Sarah Carter, of Zephyrhills, Fla., and Greg Ackerman, of Hamilton, Ind.; four great-grandchildren, Adam and Collin Parrish, of Mishawaka and Lindsay and Lauren Ackerman, of Hamilton, Ind.
A funeral service will be held Thursday, July 15, 2010 at 11 a.m. at Connelly Funeral Home, Cassopolis. Officiating will be the Rev. Charles R. VanLente, of Grand Rapids, Mich.
Interment will be in Prospect Hill Cemetery, Cassopolis.

The family will receive friends Wednesday from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 9 p.m. at the funeral home.

Memorials may be sent to the donor’s choice.

Online condolences may be left at connellyfuneralhome@verizon.net.

Dad,
You and I had a special bond I will always treasure. It’s never easy to lose a parent. I’ve watched you struggle the last few years. This last year has been the hardest for you, but you fought with all you had. I watched your body grow weary and I knew you were not going to get better.

Mom let me know that she would take care of you now and that she was waiting for you. I was not ready, but I knew I had to let you go. My heart is broken, but I know I’ve done everything possible for you. You are now pain-free and happy again.
I love you, Dad.

Your daughter,

Nancy