Obituary of George Fehrenbacher George T. Fehrenbacher, DDS, age 91, and a lifelong resident of Joliet, passed away peacefully, Saturday, April 14, 2018 at Our Lady of Angels Retirement Home, with his loving family by his side. Born February 26, 1927 in Joliet, he was the son of the late Frank and Mary (nee Blunk) Fehrenbacher. He married Eileen K. (nee Kezerle) Fehrenbacher in 1952, and she preceded him in death on September 19, 2011 following 59 years of marriage.
Two brothers, John Fehrenbacher and Fritz Fehrenbacher also preceded him. Dr. Fehrenbacher was a graduate St. Patrick’s Grade School and Joliet Catholic High School. He joined the United States Coast Guard and was a proud veteran of World War II.
Upon discharge from the military, he attended St. Joseph College in Rensselaer, IN for two years, and then continued his undergraduate education at Loyola University, receiving his Bachelor of Arts degree in History. In 1954, he graduated from the Loyola University School of Dentistry. He returned to Joliet upon graduation and joined his father, Frank, and uncle, Florian, in their dental practice, and continued to practice until his retirement in 1988.
During retirement, he and his wife operated Old Ground Antiques in Plainfield. George was an active and vital member of his community and profession. He was a Big Brother and was active in fundraising for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Will County.
He was also an active member of the Joliet Catholic Alumni Association, and volunteered his professional services through the Salvation Army of Chicago for many years. A devout Catholic and proponent of Catholic education, he was a member of St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church, was a former member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church where he served as a usher, and was a volunteer with St. John the Baptist Catholic Church Food Pantry. When not sharing his energy and talents in the community, he enjoyed travelling, especially to Ireland, reading novels and the New Yorker magazine, and most of all, spending time with his family.
George would have loved to have played golf every day if he could. He will be remembered for his compassion and generosity, and his helping hand of support and encouragement will be sorely missed. Surviving are his loving daughters, Sarah Fehrenbacher of Minneapolis, MN, Nancy (Bill) Fitzgerald of La Porte, IN, Julie Fehrenbacher of Chicago, and Laura (Christopher “Kit”) Kreid of Evanston ; two beloved grandchildren, Emily and Christopher Kreid; three sisters, JoAnn (Tom) Sprague of Three Lakes, WI, Marian (Dick) Leaman of Joliet, and Jane (DickTalbot) Fehrenbacher of Santa Barbara, CA; and numerous nieces and nephews.
The family would like to extend their warm appreciation to the loving and caring staff of Our Lady of Angels Retirement Home and Joliet Area Community Hospice. A Mass of Christian Burial for Dr. George Fehrenbacher will be celebrated Thursday, April 19, 2018 at 10:30 a.m. at Our Lady of Angels Retirement Home, 1201 Wyoming Avenue, Joliet. Visitation will be held Wednesday, from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Fred C. Dames Funeral Home, 3200 Black at Essington Roads, Joliet, and on Thursday morning, from 9:00 to 10:30 a.m. at Our Lady of Angels.
In lieu of flowers, memorials in his name to Our Lady of Angels Retirement Home would be appreciated. For information, please call (815) 741-5500 or visit his Memorial Tribute at www.
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