George Wilmarth

George P. Wilmarth, 74, the son of the late Albert W. and June Norby Wilmarth, passed away Thursday, March 23, 2017, at his home in Cape Girardeau, surrounded by the love of his family.

He was born Nov. 5, 1942, in Mandan, North Dakota, the oldest of five children.

Part of his childhood and formative years were spent in Wisconsin, where his love and passion for the Green Bay Packers grew. George attended seminary school, Marquette University and graduated from Southeast Missouri State University in May 1968.

George met the love of his life, Melba Yamnitz, in 1967 at the university, and they were married Nov. 30, 1968, at Perryville, Missouri.

He retired from the U.S. Navy and the Naval Reserves and was a veteran of the Vietnam War.

George had worked for First Federal Savings and Loan for 16 years until 1991, when he became owner/operator of Wilmarth Painting Service.

He was a member of St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church in Cape Girardeau. His faith and church were the foundation of his life. He was a sacristan and Eucharistic minister. He was a member of the men's Cursillo and Bible study groups. George was an enthusiastic and inspirational member of RCIA.

George was active in the community. He was a former member of the Jaycees and a member of American Legion Post No. 63. He was on the committee that helped start the Cape Area Youth Soccer Association. He was a master gardener and was part of Project Charlie and DARE.

Loving survivors include his beloved wife, Melba Wilmarth of Cape Girardeau; daughter, Laura (Brin Cook) James of Marion, Illinois, and her children, Jacob, Noah, Jonah and William; son, Joel (Deborah) Wilmarth of St. Louis, and his children, Meghan, Brendan, Corrin, Matthew and Aiden; daughter, Carissa Wilmarth of Cape Girardeau, and her children, Abbie and Reece; daughter, Jessica Wilmarth of St. Louis; sister, Susan Bowles of St. Louis; three brothers, Tim Wilmarth of St. Louis, Peter Wilmarth of Madison, Wisconsin, and Dr. Paul Wilmarth of St. Louis; and his father-in-law, Dalvin Yamnitz of Perryville.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his mother-in-law, Viola Yamnitz.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Funeral Home, with parish prayers at 7 p.m.

A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Saturday at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church, with the Rev. David Hulshof officiating. Burial will be at Cape County Memorial Park Cemetery, with full military honors by the Missouri Honors Team.

Memorial contributions may be given to the family.

Online condolences may be made at www.fordandsonsfuneralhome.com.