George R. Foster

George R. Foster, age 90, passed away at home on Wednesday, February 10, 2010, quietly in his sleep. He was born August 1, 1919 in Knightstown, Indiana to Herschel and Helen (Risk) Foster. His stepmother was Mable (Krammas) Foster. George was married to Dixie I. (Shrewsbury) Foster on December 1, 1946 at Camp Atterbury, Indiana. He graduated from Knightstown High School class of 1937. He attended many courses with the University of Maryland through the US Army. He was a birthright Quaker and so appreciated his background and relationship with Jesus. He was a kind, beloved gentle loving man to all he met. Mr. Foster spent his early life farming in Knightstown, Kennard and Westland with his family. His career spanned time at the Paper Mill in Carthage, a retirement from the US Army, Director of Plans and Operations for Civil Defense for the State of Indiana, and Assistant Comptroller for the Indiana National Guard. His military career allowed him to become one of the first physician’s assistants to be placed in a battalion aide station in WWII in the South Pacific seeing action throughout the region. He was also stationed throughout Japan, Germany and the United States. He retired as a Major from the US Army Medical Corps. His military career continued with the Indiana National Guard serving in a leadership capacity, retiring as a Major General in command of the home guard. Early in life he was active in the Masonic Lodge of Tokyo, Japan and the Nile Temple of Seattle, Washington. He was a member of the Greenfield Elks Lodge and American Legion Knightstown Post. He is survived by daughters, Jeanie Foster of Greenfield and Judy Lauridsen (Bo Petty) of Maui, Hawaii; doggies, Buddy and Teddy; grandchildren, Mark Stam of California and Michelle (Richard) Burke of Idaho; great-grandsons, Dylan and Austin Burke; brothers, Robert “Bob” (Georgia) Foster of Eden, Ohio, Gene (Jackie) Foster of Greenwood, Indiana, and Carroll Edward (Connie) Foster of Pasadena, California; sister-in-law, Betty Foster of Charlottesville, Indiana; brother-in-law, Carmen (Ruby) Shrewsbury of East Lake, Ohio; and many nieces, nephews and neighborhood children. Preceding him in death were his parents; wife; two sisters, Norma James and Doris Carpenter; and brother, Max Foster. Calling is from 4:00 until 8:00 p.m. on Friday, February 12, at Erlewein Mortuary in Greenfield. Funeral services will be on Saturday, February 13, at 10:00 a.m. at Faith Apostolic Church on Tyler Ave, Greenfield. Friends may send online condolences at www.erleweinmortuary.com or email to sympathy@erleweinmortuary.com.

George R. Foster

August 1, 1919 - February 10, 2010