George Mitchell DeWolf, Age 86

            George M. DeWolf (Dad) of Helena passed away on November 23, 2012 at the age of 86.  He was born in Townsend, MT on June 13, 1926.  He was the third oldest of four born to Fred and Anna Mae DeWolf.

            Upon graduation from Helena High School, Dad enlisted into the United States Marine Corps and served honorably from April 12, 1944 to January 10, 1948. He attended Sea School, Weapons School, and Fire Fighting School.  After training, he served on the USS New Mexico during WWII.  Dad spoke little about his service except one particular event that occurred on May 12, 1945, just off the coast of the Okinawa Beach.  His ship was hit by a kamikaze plane.  As the main gunner, Dad told of having to spin the turret of the gun at such a rate it threw three crew members and him away from the attacking plane.  An accident, he claimed, saved the three crew men and himself.  Unfortunately, 55 Men were killed, 177 others were wounded that day.  Dad remembered sustaining burns and injuries.  Asked why he never received a Purple Heart, his only response was, “From what I saw happen to my fellow ship mates, I felt it was not deserved.”  Ironically, years later, it was learned that Mike Sassano (Nikki’s Father) who married Dad’s oldest son Joe, witnessed the attack on the New Mexico.  Mike was serving on the USS Bowie at the time.  In 1948 he was discharged from the Marine Corps, joined the Montana Army National Guard, and received his Commission as a Second Lieutenant in 1953.  In 1960 he transferred to the Army Reserve, retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel in 1979.

            Dad returned from the war and attended Carroll College for two years working for his degree in Law and Civil Engineering.  It was during his College days that he met and married Carol Trent and later divorced.  They had four children Susan, Joseph, Steven and Kelly.  Dad worked at the Family store; The Union Meat Market and Groceries (Pick up and Deliveries) in Helena.  It was a DeWolf family tradition.  He loved working with his father (Fred Sr.) and Brothers Bill, Fred Jr., and sister Joan.  As meat cutters they became known as the “By Golley Boys”.  They treated people with respect, good service, and on most occasions gave out free, freshly made hot dogs.

            Family was Dad’s priority.  Not uncommon to work from seven in the morning to seven in the evening, he still made time for his family.  Working at the market offered him the opportunity to occasionally take his kids on deliveries.  Dad did not teach his kids expectations, he showed us expectations.  On deliveries we saw people with very little; living in poor conditions.  He always said, “Treat these people with courtesy, respect, and be grateful.”  I (Joe) saw dad leave simple groceries with people and noticed that he forgot to collect money.  I said, “Dad you forgot to take the money.” With a sheepish grin he would say to me, “I know.”

            Dad provided for his family and made sure Sundays were special.  Mom made special meals (roast, leg of lamb, fried chicken, etc.) and just as important, the family had to watch the “Ed Sullivan Show.” They are days never to be forgotten.

            Dad left the family business in 1968 and began another career with the Montana Disaster and Emergency Services Division as a district coordinator.  He worked for the department 21 years and retired in 1989 as the Division Administrator.

            Dad was fortunate to meet Jeanette DeYoung while he was working at the Union Market.  Jeanette was working at Singers on Main Street and would walk to the Union Market to buy lunchmeat for lunch. 

            On August 18, 1973 they married.  Jeanette was a remarkable wife, companion, and simply a very good person for Dad.  Jeanette spent the remainder of 39 years with Dad.

            Dad is preceded in death by his parents and son, Steve.  Dad is survived by his wife Jeanette, his brothers, Bill and Fred of Helena, and sister Joan (Larry) Kain of Billings, his children Susan DeWolf of Butte, Joseph (Nikki) and Kelly of Helena, Dirk DeYoung of Helena, and Vicki (Nick) DeYoung Bartel of Boise, ID.  His grandchildren Mike (Angela) Keck of Dillon, Chet French of Helena, Jason DeWolf of Sacramento, CA, Jennifer DeWolf and Raymond Carlson of Helena, great grandchildren Faith and Chance Keck, Joe and Brandon Pauley, Kendall and Kaitlyn French, Robert and Wesley Carlson, and numerous nieces and nephews.

            In his later years, Dad found happiness spending time with his wife and family; golfing with his son’s Joe and Kelly and old friends; watching his favorite golfer, Tiger Woods, the San Francisco 49ers and old Westerns on TV; on occasional beer with friends at HAPS, Dapper D’s and Nickels Casino.  He also shared his favorite moments with his three dogs… Widget, Spanky, and Mollie, whom he loved very much.

            We love you dad.

A memorial service celebrating George’s life will be 10:00 a.m. Friday, November 30, 2012 at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home, 3750 N. Montana Avenue. Burial with military honors will follow at Montana State Veterans Cemetery, Ft. Harrison. A reception will be held in the social center of the funeral home immediately following the graveside. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials in George’s name to Frontier Home Health & Hospice 800 Front Street, Helena, MT 59601.

Service Schedule

Memorial Service

10:00 a.m,.

Friday November 30, 2012

Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home

3750 N. Montana Avenue

Helena, Montana 59602

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Burial with Military Honors

Immeidtaely following the memorial service

Friday November 30, 2012

Montana State Veterans Cemetery

Fort Harrison, Montana

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Reception

Immeditely following the burial service.

Friday November 30, 2012

Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home

3750 N. Montana Avenue

Helena,, Montana 59602

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