George Bjorling Obituary

George Frederick Bjorling

George Frederick Bjorling, 96, of Findlay, died Thursday, March 2, 2023, at his residence.

He was born Jan. 5, 1927, in Buffalo, New York, to George E. and Pauline (Sherman) Bjorling.

He married Bonnie Mae Ann O'Berry on Nov. 12, 1950, and she preceded him in death July 25, 2014.

He is survived by two daughters, Nora Norman and Amy (Jeff) Reynolds, both of Findlay; sister, Sandra Lemon of Fenton, Michigan; daughter-in-law, Debra (Clay) Bjorling; grandchildren, Jennifer (Doug) Ellis, Laura (Darel) Barnett, Daniel Huntington, Benjamin (Kristine) Bjorling, Ashton Bjorling, Adrienne Bjorling, Andrew Taylor, Natalie Reynolds, Nathan Reynolds, and Austin Reynolds; five great-grandchildren; and four great-great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Myrna and her husband, Patrick Feetham; brother, Edward and his wife, Joyce; son, George A. Bjorling Jr.; and daughter, Jeri L. Bjorling.

There are many nieces and nephews that he loved dearly.

George graduated high school in 1945 at Short Ridge High School in Indianapolis, Indiana, at the age of 17 and had already enlisted in U.S. Army Air Corp so immediately went into basic training in Biloxi, Mississippi. He wanted to be a pilot in World War II, so he attended flight school but when he graduated, the war had ended so they offered him his choice of assignments and he chose to be a meteorologist on the island of St. Lucia in the Caribbean. After spending a year there, he was honorably discharged and went back to his parent's home in Fenton, Michigan.

At the age of 20, he attended Flint Junior College, studying business for two years. He then played semi-pro football for Fenton Independents for three years.

George worked for Universal CIT as a debt collector and a repo officer and then went on to work for Ford Credit for many years as a branch manager and regional manager, finally retiring in 1997. For a short time after he retired, he also did consulting for Findlay Ford dealership.

George was an over 50-year member of B.P.O.E. (Elk Lodge), life member of AmVETS Post 21, American Legion Post 3, and Y.M.C.A, all of Findlay, where he had many special friends and treasured them all.

He loved many sporting activities including hunting, fishing, golfing (where he enjoyed a 12 handicap), and snowmobiling. He took many trips all over the country. He also enjoyed bowling, boating, flying, and playing racquetball for over 30 years. He was a fan of Michigan sports, notably the Wolverines and Spartans football, Detroit Lions football, and Detroit Tigers baseball. He also loved to raise vegetable gardens and flowers, especially his roses. He loved all wildlife and also loved to watch his birds and kept them well fed. He also loved to travel, making trips domestically abroad and even visiting Sweden, but the greatest love of his life was his family and always looked forward to having gatherings and holiday parties.

The family would like to give special thanks to Bridge Home Hospice for their outstanding care, especially his nurse, Kenna. We also wish to publicly thank Jeff Reynolds (special "son") for taking such wonderful care of Dad and for bringing his coffee and paper to him everyday and doing all the guy things. We've all said, "We don't know what we would do without Jeff!"

He will be greatly missed by all that knew him and loved him. The family is so thankful we had him for so long.

Visitation will be 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Thursday, March 9, 2023, at COLDREN-CRATES FUNERAL HOME, Findlay.

George's funeral will be 1 p.m. Friday, March 10, 2023, at The First Presbyterian Church of Findlay with a celebration of life party following at The Barn at Walnut Creek.

Memorial contributions can be made to Flag City Honor Flight or Hancock County Memorial Squad.

Condolences can be sent via www.coldrencrates.com.