George John Himmes, 83, of Phoenix, AZ, passed away peacefully on June 23, 2006. He was born in Chicago, IL to James George Himmes and Margaret Bodtke Himmes; stepson to Mitzi. George often spoke fondly of his boyhood on Kilpatrick Avenue with his brother, Jim; sisters, Margaret and Angela; and a host of neighborhood kids. He attended Butler University and proudly served his country during World War II. He was a radio operator in the Army Air Corps, flying many missions in the China/Burma/India Theater during the war, which he enjoyed recounting. Upon his return to the U.S., he continued his employment with Western Electric where he worked for 38 years and rose to the level of Supervisor. Upon his retirement in 1979, he relocated to Arizona. A lifelong fisherman, George summered with his wife, Mary Louise, often with children and grandchildren, at their beloved lakefront cottage in Mercer, WI. A faithful Catholic, George spent years in service to others, volunteering at St. Joseph’s Hospital, St. Vincent de Paul, his church council and he trained many altar servers. He is survived by his loving, devoted wife of 56 years, Mary Louise Himmes; nine loving children, Mary Anne (Tom Theis) Himmes of Chicago, Margaret (Don) Novak of Elmhurst, IL, Susan (Tony) Galvez of Palatine, IL, George (Nancy) of Villa Park, IL, Barbara Himmes of Scottsdale, AZ, Rita (Mark) Tantillo of Scottsdale, AZ, Michael (Betsy) of Glendale, AZ, James of Tempe, AZ and Thomas of Glendale, AZ; 14 cherished grandchildren. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m., with Rosary at 7 p.m., on Wednesday, June 28 at Hansen Chapel, 8314 N. 7th St., Phoenix, AZ. Mass will be at 9 a.m. on Thursday, June 29 at St. Louis the King Catholic Church, 4331 W. Maryland Ave, Glendale, AZ. In lieu of flowers, donations in George’s memory may be sent to Huger Mercy Living Center, Phoenix, 602-406-5600, where he received much loving care. Arrangements by Hansen Mortuary.
