Every dog has its day, and George’s ninety-three and a half years of good fortune and many blessings finally ran out. He was in the presence of family and friends, and under the wonderful care of the Compassus team in his hometown of Galesburg, Illinois.
George attended local schools: Silas Willard Elementary, Hitchcock Junior High, and Galesburg Senior High. He was active in sports, mainly track, and during these formative years George participated in Boy Scouts – earning 21 merit badges and attaining the rank of Eagle Scout.
In 1949 George enrolled at the University of Wisconsin – Menomonie (Stout Institute), majoring in Industrial Arts Education. There he met his future wife, Nadine Norae Brown. The couple married on July 2, 1955, at the First Presbyterian Church in Nadine’s hometown of Manitowoc, Wisconsin. Upon college graduation, George was accepted at the United States Navy Officer Candidate School in Newport, Rhode Island. After completing OCS, he was commissioned as an Ensign, and during the Korean War he served aboard the USS Otterstetter, DER 244 which operated 400 miles off the Atlantic Ocean/East Coast as part of the Cold War defense effort. The ship’s home port was Newport, Rhode Island.
He left active duty at the rank of Lieutenant Junior Grade in the Navy Reserves and subsequently fully retired as a Lieutenant in the USNR. George then attended Colorado A&M (now Colorado State University) in Fort Collins, Colorado, where he earned his master’s degree in education. In 1957 George began his industrial arts teaching career at Churchill Junior High School in Galesburg, Illinois. He taught metalworking, woodworking, drafting and small engines. During his 28 years of teaching, he authored three textbooks in the subjects of Power Technology, Drafting and Small Gasoline Engines. A total of eight textbooks (original three plus several revised editions) were published by Delmar Publishers in Albany, New York and were sold throughout the United States and Mexico over a span of 20 years while George was still teaching.
The American Industrial Arts Association named George as the outstanding teacher in Illinois for 1966-1967. This presentation was made at their annual convention held in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
In 1985 upon retirement from teaching, George devoted his energy to Statice Gardens, Inc. This business was started by his parents in 1938. He soon bought the business and operated it with his wife, children and up to twenty seasonal workers. Statice Gardens designed and assembled dried floral bouquets – using a wide range of everlasting flowers such as straw flowers, statice, gypsophila, star flowers, yarrow, etc. The bouquets were sold wholesale, almost always to supermarkets throughout the USA. Eventually the bulk of the business moved to Newburgh, Indiana where his daughter Nancy operated the Indiana Division of the company. George and Nadine traveled to Europe and Asia, mostly with floral trade groups.
During his retirement years George and Nadine enjoyed traveling to visit children and grandchildren. They spent 27 winters at Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, and also attended eight elder hostels throughout the country.
George was preceded in death by his parents, Edward E. and Florence (Augustson) Stephenson; his wife of 65 years, Nadine who passed away in November 2019; and his brother William (Bill) and sister-in-law Jane. He is survived by two children – Nancy S. (Brian) Carroll of Evansville, Indiana, and Peter M. (Kimberley) Stephenson of Smithfield, Virginia. His five grandchildren include Benjamin Carroll of San Antonio, Texas; Sean Carroll of Atlanta, Georgia; Seb (Ian) Stephenson of Norfolk, Virginia; Morgan (Mike) House of Smithfield, Virginia; and Andrew Stephenson of Smithfield, Virginia. He is also survived by several loving cousins, nieces and nephews, wonderful neighbors and dear friends.
Memorial Services for both George and Nadine will be held at 2:00 pm, Saturday, August 24, 2024, at the First Presbyterian Church, Galesburg with Rev. Dr. Scott Carnes and Chaplain Jordan Knight officiating. Military Honors will be provided by the Knox County Honor Guard. A time of fellowship will follow services in the parlor of the church.
George and Nadine will be laid to rest alongside each other at Evergreen Cemetery in Manitowoc, Wisconsin. Memorial contributions in honor of George may be made to the Galesburg Public Library Foundation or the First Presbyterian Church of Galesburg. Hinchliff-Pearson-West Funeral Directors and Cremation Services is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be made at www.h-p-w.com
