George Everett Burnworth was a self-made man, exhibiting the finest qualities of human ingenuity. He worked hard, honed his skills and rose to the challenge of new enterprise while maintaining timeless principles. He was grounded in the love of family and the support of his community.

George’s story began as the Great War was being fought in Europe. Americans had re-elected Woodrow Wilson because they hoped he would continue to keep them out of the conflict. While the government upheld its official position of neutrality, the country forged ahead in manufacturing and cultural changes: from assembly lines and faster Model Ts to women’s suffrage and prohibition, from fair labor laws to ragtime bands and silent films.

George Everett was born Jan. 5, 1916, in Noble Township of Noble County, the son of Melvin L. and Catherine (Buckles) Burnworth. On the family’s spearmint farm in Noble County, George lived a characteristic rural life of vigor and responsibility. Money may have been tight, but that only made George more inventive. The skills, values and resourcefulness he learned as a youth stuck with him for a lifetime.

Like many teens of his generation, George completed his formal education through the eighth grade, and right after graduation, he went to work for the family farm. Even though he did not have the benefit of higher education, George was a very educated man. He taught himself tool-and-die making and over the years and became his own carpenter, electrician and plumber. As a handyman, George could build or fix just about anything.

Life became all the more fulfilling when George married Sara “Sally” Skeels on Aug. 4, 1935. She had finished high school the year they made their vows, and the newlyweds set up housekeeping in a rented home. From 1939 to 1945 they resided in Columbia City, and in 1945, George built their house at Big Lake. He and Sally had two children: Peggy and an infant son, Jackie, who died at birth. As a father, George was very supportive of his daughter and encouraged her in all her pursuits.

George was a valued employee of Dana Weatherhead in Columbia City for 30 years, retiring in the 1970s. During the latter of those years, he built a furniture store in Big Lake from the ground up—the structure as well as the business. From 1962 to 1978, he owned and managed Burnworth Furniture & Gifts along with Sally. As the furniture business grew, George expanded into carpet and vinyl flooring, which he installed himself. Among the perks that the business offered was travel. Through promotional opportunities, George and Sally took numerous trips across the globe, including their favorite destinations in Europe and Japan.

George’s world changed radically at 2:30 a.m. on April 5, 1977. His beloved Sally passed away after 41 years of being together as wife and husband. The following year George sold the furniture store, and to this day, the building still stands across from the home he built at Big Lake off SR 109.

George married Imogene Burnworth on June 3, 1978, and they later moved to Columbia City on Earl Street. He and his new wife had mutual interests in camping and mushroom hunting, even traveling up to Michigan in the spring and staying in their camper while hunting mushrooms. Additionally, George was very fond of fishing and gardening, and his dogs were his faithful companions.

Never one to slack off, George moved to Loon Lake when he was 80 years old. He was still driving at age 96. When Imogene passed away on July 26, 2004, George eventually moved back to Columbia City. It wasn’t until he suffered a stroke that he decided to give up his car keys and move into his daughter’s home in 2012. A year later he went into Miller’s Merry Manor. His nearly 100 years of life are a legacy of George’s strength, character and love.

George Everett Burnworth, 99, of Columbia City, Indiana, passed away at 3:15 a.m. Saturday, March 21, 2015, at Miller’s Merry Manor in Columbia City.

Survivors include his daughter: Peggy A. (John) Williams, Fort Wayne; sisters: Louella Ayres, Fort Wayne; Mary Catherine (Larry) Cox, Michigan; sister-in-law: Phyllis Burnworth; eight grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; first wife: Sally Burnworth; second wife: Imogene Burnworth; infant son: Jackie Burnworth; and brothers: Lowell, Bill and Guy Burnworth.

Visitation was held on Tuesday, March 24, at DeMoney-Grimes, a Life Story Funeral Home, 600 Countryside Drive, Columbia City. Funeral services followed with a private burial at Thorn Cemetery. Pastor Curt Johnson officiated.

Memorial gifts may be given in memory to Humane Society of Whitley County.