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George E. Flager Jr. (Red) (Junior), 83, passed away Friday, April 17, 2009 at the Hernado Pasco Hospice Center in Zephyrhills, Fla. after a courageous battle with cancer.
He was born April 1, 1926 in Dearborn, the youngest of three children born to George E. Sr. and Mildred L. (Boyd) Flager. He attended school in Bristol, Ind.
On Sept. 18, 1949 he married Marceline Joyce Chapman. They raised five children. They were married for 44 years until Marceline’s death on Sept. 23, 1993.
On Aug. 20, 1998 he married Elizabeth (Betty) Walker from Schoolcraft.
George was a Charter member of the Arthur Gouker American Legion Post #427 in Mottville. He was a proud WWII veteran, having served as a gunner in one of General Patton’s tank battalions. He worked as a heavy equipment operator for Clifton Engineering in Three Rivers until his retirement in 1988.
George and Betty were avid campers and travelers. He became a full time Florida resident in 2003. George was a hard worker; devoted and loyal to his family and friends. He was passionate about his country and politics. George was a kind, caring and good humored man who will be missed by all who had the good fortune to have known him.
He is survived by his wife, Betty (Walker) Flager; five children, Lesley N. Johnson, William M. (Theresa) Flager, Cheryl L. (Robert) Brewer, Joyce A. (Danilo) Beligano and Peggy S. (Thomas) Eccles; three step-daughters, Carleen (Stan) Range, Mary (Kit) Walker and Catherine Adams; grandchildren, Brian (Deb) Johnson, Jennifer (Lynell) Ballard, April Flager, Jeff Flager, Mathew Flager, Bradley (Christina) Brewer, Chandler Brewer, Marceline Brewer and fiancé Cameron Nevins, Andreya Beligano, Tyler Beligano, A.J. Eccles, “Drew-Drew” Eccles and Evan Adams; great-grandchildren, Mathew and Heather Lint, Chelsea Johnson, Lindsey and L.J. Ballard, Nathaniel and Claire Brewer, Cheyanna, Tylynn and Kyrah Beligano. He is also survived by a sister-in-law Janet Parish of Decatur and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Marceline Flager; his brother, Paul H. Flager; his sister, Norma Comadoll and his grandchildren Keith Flager and Kevin Flager.
Cremation has taken place. A grave-side service will be held on Sunday, May 3, 2009 at Riverside Cemetery in Three Rivers at 3 p.m. Memorials may be sent directly to the Three Rivers Health Homecare and Hospice at 222 S. Main St., Three Rivers, MI 49093.
