On January 25, 2023, George William Kreil peacefully passed away in his sleep after a long illness. He was born in Pittsburgh, PA on December 29, 1931, to Helen Hannah (Cooper) and George Lester Kreil. George grew up in Columbus, OH, where he graduated from Linden McKinley High School in 1950. He went on to graduate from Otterbein College in Westerville, Ohio, in 1954. He attended Otterbein on a football scholarship, and while there, he was an active member of Delta Sigma Phi (Sphinx) fraternity, and he also joined and proudly served in the US Naval Reserves.
George had a long and successful career in chemicals sales, where he worked for Gulf Oil, American Mineral Spirits, Quaker State, and the company that would bring his family to Indiana in 1968, Hoosier Solvents & Chemicals, which became Chemcentral Corporation. George served as the president of Hoosier Solvents & Chemicals and General Manager of Chemcentral Indianapolis. He retired in 1996 after 27 years with the company.
George was an accomplished artist, furniture builder, and gardener. He loved antiques and was quite the authority on early English and American glass and porcelain, and early fine English and American furniture. He also was very mechanically talented. He completely rebuilt a 1928 Pontiac, which was his pride and joy.
George had a quick wit and never met a stranger. He was an active member of Otterbein United Methodist Church, in Lebanon, a member of Ulen Country Club, and volunteered for Lebanon Meals on Wheels for many years.
George loved his family, and his work family, deeply. He met his beautiful wife, Georgia Irene Fleming, on a blind date on April 11, 1954, and married her on September 11 of that year. They celebrated their 68th wedding anniversary in 2022. In addition to Georgia, he is survived by his daughters, Taffy (Steve) Day, and Ginger (Jeff) Harris, both of Lebanon, as well as his grandsons, Chris (Allison) Day, and Matt (Kelly) Day. He was the best husband, father and grandfather ever.
George was preceded in death by his parents, and his beloved poodle, Sophie.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his honor to Meals on Wheels in Lebanon, Boone County Senior Services, the Greater Indiana Chapter – Alzheimer’s Association, or to a charity of your choosing.
Family and friends will gather on Tuesday, January 31st for visitation from 12:00 p.m. until the time of the funeral service at 2:00 p.m. at Myers Mortuary, 1502 N. Lebanon Street, Lebanon. George will be laid to rest at Oak Hill Cemetery in Lebanon.
