George Phinney Obituary, Death – George Phinney, age 79, passed away on Saturday, May 26, 2007 at the Good Shepherd Health Center. He was a resident of 27-35th Street Southeast. The Reverend Steve Hansen will preside over the memorial services that will be held at the Grace United Methodist Church on Saturday, June 2, 2007, at 1:30 PM. The church is located at 200 14th St. NW. One hour prior to the start of the service, there will be a get-together of friends and family members at the church.
Donations in memory of George Phinney can be made to either the George Phinney Memorial Fund or the Grace United Methodist Church Parking Lot. The son of Frank and Inez (Miller) Phinney, George was delivered into this world on July 16, 1927 in Sutherland, Iowa. In 1945, he received his high school diploma from Tigard Oregon High School. George was a member of the coffee club at the airport and looked forward to the annual visits to Oshkosh.
George was instrumental in the founding of the Men’s Club at Grace United Methodist Church, where he later held the presidency for a number of years. In addition to that, he was a leader in Sunday school and a lay speaker for a number of years. George was a pilot who had experience flying a wide variety of aircraft, including those he had built and flown himself. He has a lifelong interest in flying and had been going to the EAA National Convention ever since it was first held in the 1960s.
George is survived by his three sons and their wives: Douglas Phinney and wife Leeza of Ventura, IA, Donald Phinney of Clear Lake, and Dean Phinney and wife Theresa of Coralville, IA; five grandchildren: Justin, Brandon, Ashley, Melissa (Scott) Keating, and Anthony; and one great-granddaughter: Kayla. His close friend Marilyn (Cookie) Schiff, along with her daughters Val Suby and her husband Kirk, and Shelly Miller Schiff, as well as their children Christian (Allison) Schiff and Kylie, Mark Sachen, Amber (Todd) Eldridge and Austin and Allison, and Andrew Suby, will also miss their time spent with George.