Submited by: Dan Rich
March 30, 1918 - Feb. 28, 2005
South Bend Tribune 3/2/2005
George A. Cortier, 86, of Pear Road in South Bend, Indiana, passed away in his home on Monday, February 28, 2005. Mr. Cortier was born on March 30, 1918, in Mishawaka, Indiana, to Alphonse and Helen (Zdankus) Cortier.
George was married to Isabel Lies on
January 31, 1942. His wife of 60 years preceded him in death on
July 17, 2002. Surviving are his children, Georgene (Leroy) Wisler
of Wakarusa, Indiana, Beverly (Bruce) McMillen of South
Bend, Janice (David) Akin of South Bend and James F. (Jo)
Cortier of Rotonda West, Florida; 19 grandchildren and 25
great-grandchildren; a sister, Patricia (Eddie, preceded in
death) DeLaurelle of Mishawaka, Indiana; and a brother,
Richard (Wanda) Cortier of New Carlisle, Indiana.
Mr. Cortier was an entrepreneur, being the
former owner of Cortier Cartage, Ace Van Lines, New Carlisle
Package Liquor Store, New Carlisle Car Wash, and Cortier Service.
He was a farmer, drove a school bus for the South Bend School
Corporation, drove the St. Joseph High School football team for
26 years, and was the former Warren Township Constable. George
was the past president of the New Carlisle Small Businessmen's
Association, past president of the Parish Council of St.
Stanislaus Kostka Catholic Church, Terre Coupee, was a member of
the Lions Club, a past captain on the Warren Township Fire
Department, a two-time representative at the National Democratic
Convention, a Notre Dame football usher for over 20 years, a
member of the South Bend Moose Lodge, the current treasurer of
the Woodman of the World, Lodge 6001, and was a W.W.II Army
veteran where he played in the Army Band.
Visitation will be held from 2-8 PM Thursday, March 3, 2005, in the Kaniewski Funeral Home, 3545 N. Bendix Drive, South Bend, Indiana, where a parish Rosary will be held at 4 PM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 AM Friday, March 4, 2005, in St. Stanislaus Kostka Catholic Church, New Carlisle. Burial will follow at New Carlisle Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Stanislaus Parish, 55756 Tulip Road, New Carlisle, IN 46552; or to the charity of the donor's choice.