George Joseph Lorenz

George Joseph Lorenz, 94, of Shelbyville, passed away Friday, September 7, 2012 at Major Hospital. Born February 16, 1918, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, he was the son of Joseph George and Elizabeth M. (Rengert) Lorenz. He married Helen Marie Fleming, 68 years ago on November 23, 1944, and she survives. Other survivors include his sons, Richard Wayne (wife, Nancy) Lorenz of Spencer and Robert Keith (wife, Gloria) Lorenz of Naperville, Illinois; and grandchildren, Jason Alexander Lorenz and Bryan Michael Lorenz. He was preceded in death by his parents and his only brother, Joseph George Lorenz. Mr. Lorenz graduated from Northeast High School in Philadelphia in 1936 and Drexel University in Philadelphia in 1942 and has resided in Shelbyville since 1945. He served as a pilot in the U.S. Navy during World War II from 1942 to 1946 and also worked on the design of aircraft engines. Mr. Lorenz had previously worked for Stewart Warner. He then worked as a mechanical engineer for General Electric/Wellman retiring after 60 years of service, later he returned and worked another 15 years. He was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, Toastmasters, Benevolent and Protective Order of the Elks and the Unique Club. Mr. Lorenz enjoyed airplanes and studying the Air Force. He was an avid reader, regularly visiting the Shelby County Public Library, where he enjoyed reading The Indianapolis Star and Wall Street Journal. He enjoyed watching football, especially Notre Dame. Visitation will be from 4 to 6 p.m. Sunday, September 9, 2012 at Freeman Family Funeral Homes and Crematory, Carmony-Ewing Chapel, 819 S. Harrison St., with a rosary recited at 3:30 pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m. Monday, September 10, 2012, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 125 E. Broadway St., with Father Aaron Pfaff officiating. Interment will be in St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery, with military graveside rites by the local military committee. Dinner will follow graveside service at St. Joseph Catholic Church cafeteria. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Joseph Catholic Church, 125 E. Broadway St., Shelbyville, Indiana 46176; Shelby County Public Library, 57 W. Broadway St., Shelbyville, Indiana or Blue River Community Foundation, Phyllis J. Fleming Scholarship Fund, 54 W. Broadway St., Shelbyville, Indiana 46176.