George Wissbaum

George Lee Wissbaum, 95, of Springfield, Missouri passed away on November 4, 2024.

He was born July 16, 1929, to Joseph and Ruth Wissbaum in Conway, Missouri, where he was raised and attended school. He was preceded in death by his parents; Marcia, his wife of 60 years, and siblings Richard Wissbaum, Louise Pender, and Dorothy Bell. He is survived by siblings Virginia Wissbaum, Ida Sheets, and David (Ruth Carol) Wissbaum; children Mark, Julie, LuAnn, and Roger; and numerous nieces and nephews.

A child of The Great Depression, George worked on the family farm as a youngster where he developed a strong work ethic, a love of the outdoors, and a lifelong talent for gardening.

As a young man, he served in the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict, stationed in Washington state, and his unit was also deployed for a nuclear test in Nevada, Operation Buster-Jangle. He was honorably discharged from the army and returned to Missouri, where he worked in the family limestone business. He then changed career paths and developed his skills as a finish carpenter. He worked for many years in the home construction industry, retiring from Cowherd Construction Company in Springfield.

A lifelong Roman Catholic, he was active in several area parishes, volunteered his time driving the bus for the Springfield Catholic High School Irish boys’ basketball team, and participated in the Catholic High School Booster Club where he enjoyed cooking chili for the annual chili supper for many years.

George’s final months were spent as a resident of the Missouri Veteran’s Home in Mt. Vernon. The family thanks the staff and fellow residents for their love, care, and friendships during the past year and a half.

George will be remembered as a hardworking man with a good sense of humor who never shied away from work and never hesitated to help a neighbor in need.

A Visitation will be held from 5-7pm on Tuesday, November 12, 2024, at Herman H. Lohmeyer Funeral Home, 500 E. Walnut Street in Springfield where a Rosary/Prayer Service will be held at 7:00pm by Father Tom Kiefer.

A Memorial Funeral Mass will be held at Noon, on Wednesday, November 13, 2024, at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church, 2200 W. Republic Road in Springfield with Father Tom Kiefer, celebrant. Interment will follow at 2:00pm with Full Military Honors at the Missouri Veterans Cemetery, 5201 S. Southwood Road in Springfield, Missouri.

Permanent online condolences, stories and photos may be shared at www.hhlohmeyer.com.

Memorial contributions in George's memory may be made to honor fellow veterans through Wreaths Across America at
https://www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/Shop/Product/597?tid=F0C5C656-A8AB-4966-9143-2B6A3F67209C&pageIds=19520,0&vw=home