George A. Accoe

Aug. 25, 1918 - Oct. 23, 2010

WAKARUSA - George A. Accoe, 92, died at his home of natural causes on October 23, 2010.
He was born on August 25, 1918, to Achiel and Rosalie (Lootens) Accoe in Mishawaka, and grew up in South Bend, graduating from Central High School.

George served in World War II as a Tech Sergeant radio technician in the Army Air Corps, and was stationed in the Panamá Canal Zone. His flights included those with Eleanor Roosevelt as she traveled in the Canal Zone on humanitarian missions and Bob Hope USO tours.

George married Helen Mutti on October 28, 1944, in the Panamá Canal Zone, and continued to live and work in the Canal Zone until 1950. Upon returning to Indiana, George and Helen took up residence in Madison Township. They built their home in 1953, the same house in which they have lived ever since. George owned and operated a local business for 24 years. He joined Superior Tool and Die in Elkhart and retired in 1990 after 19 years of service. Always active in community affairs, fundraisers and the PTA, he was a charter member the Madison Township Lions Club. During retirement, George split his time between Wakarusa and Sun City, Arizona. He enjoyed fishing trips to Canada with friends. He was also an avid Notre Dame fan and tried to never miss a game. George took great pride in his canna bed in Wakarusa and his geraniums in Sun City. George is survived by his loving wife, Helen; three children, Ginny Arguello of Aromas, California, Bernard Accoe of South Bend and Meg Calleo-Nelson of Phoenix, Arizona; three granddaughters, Jane Muir and Jennifer Brady of San Diego, and Angela Ferris of Phoenix; and three great-grandchildren. Also surviving are his sister, Evelyn Van Puyvelde (Albert) of Rock Island, Illinois, Mrs. Richard Accoe (Pauline) of Dowagiac, Michigan; and many nieces and nephews.
George was preceded in death by his sister, Marie Bokon (Joe) of South Bend, and brother, Richard Accoe of Dowagiac, Michigan.

Visitation will be in the Hahn Funeral Home, 505 W. Eighth St. in Mishawaka, on Thursday, October 28, 2010, from 2 - 4 p.m. and 6 - 8 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be Friday at 10 a.m. at St. Bavo's Catholic Church in Mishawaka. Burial will follow at Bremen Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Parkinson Disease Association, to the Madison Township Lions Club or to St. Bavos Catholic Church.

Published in South Bend Tribune on October 26, 2010

05/07/2022 EJS