George Venson, who worked as a cost analyst for Commonwealth Edison Co. and as a volunteer trying to help abused children, died Tuesday in St. Joseph Hospital. He was 87. Mr. Venson was born in Chicago and attended Senn High School on the North Side and became an all-city halfback on the football team. He went on to graduate from Morningside College in Sioux Falls, Iowa, in 1934 with a bachelor’s degree in fine arts. He also played football. He worked for Edison 38 years as a cost analyst in plant accounting and participated in the company’s tutoring program for Cabrini-Green children. After retiring from Edison, Mr. Venson spent time as a volunteer in Cook County’s juvenile courts helping out his wife, Lily, who worked for the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services. That agency awarded him a plaque in 1986 for his service in helping abused children in Illinois. In addition to his wife, Mr. Venson is survived by one daughter, Virginia Gerninger; a son, Perry; and a brother Nicholas. Visitation will be Friday from 4 to 9 p.m. at Smith Corcoran Funeral Home, 6150 N. Cicero Ave. Services for Mr. Venson will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday in St. Andrew Greek Orthodox Church, 5649 N. Sheridan Rd.
