May 4, 1934 — Feb. 8, 2018

George E. Schuster, 83, of Sierra Vista and formerly of Dowagiac, passed away peacefully on Thursday, Feb. 8, 2018, in Tucson.  George, son of the late Stephen A. and Myrtle (Walters) Schuster was born in Coloma, Michigan, on May 4, 1934. 

George was raised in Benton Harbor and graduated from Benton Harbor High School in 1952.  Upon graduation, George attended the University of Michigan where he received his doctorate in dental surgery in 1960.  George served his country as a dentist in the Navy for two years, during which time he married the love of his life, Donna Lynn Wruck. 

After his service in the Navy, George established his dental practice in Dowagiac where he worked for 35 years, until his retirement in 1997. 

During his time in Dowagiac, George was a member of Rotary and the  Blossomtime Festival, having served as president of both. George also enjoyed many recreational activities during his time in Dowagiac.  Outside of his family, arguably George’s greatest passion was the University of Michigan athletic program, particularly football, where he was a season ticket holder for 35 years.  He was an avid sailor, having won the Super Porpoise National Championship twice, as well as an  avid golfer.  Both George and Donna were members of the Monday Night Running Club in Dowagiac for many years, during which time George ran seven marathons, including the New York City Marathon twice. 

George found his love of singing while being a member of the United Methodist Church in Dowagiac.

After retirement George and Donna chose Sierra Vista, Arizona as where they would spend the rest of their lives together.  George remained active for the 20 years he lived in Sierra Vista, golfing regularly (including carding his only ace on his local course in Winterhaven).  George took up hiking while in Sierra Vista and one of his proudest accomplishments was in 2004, at the age of 70, George and Donna hiked from the North Rim of the Grand Canyon to the South Rim in one day. 

During his time in Sierra Vista George continued with his love of singing as a member of both the Sierra Vista Methodist Church choir and the Sierra Vista Community Chorus. 

George is survived by his wife of 57 years, Donna Lynn (Wruck) Schuster, a son, Stephen C. (Pamela); a daughter, Rebecca L. Grajauskis; a sister, Charlotte Cannaday; five grandchildren: Kristina,  Alexandrea (Matt), Jacob, Tyler, and Michael; two great-grandchildren: Krysslin and Charlotte.

A celebration of George’s life will take place at 11 a.m. on Friday, April 20, 2018, at the Sierra Vista United Methodist Church.  Rites of committal and inurnment with Military Honors will follow in the  Southern Arizona Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 1300 Buffalo Soldier Trail, in Sierra Vista.

The family asks that any donations made on George’s behalf be directed to either Habitat for Humanity, the Sierra Vista Community Chorus or the Sierra Vista United Methodist Church.