George Zouganelis

George Zouganelis

Age 88 of Wilmington, passed away Sunday morning September 16, 2012 at his home.

Born April 21, 1924 in Joliet, George was a son of the late Peter and Mary Policandriotes-Zouganelis. He was raised and educated in Joliet and graduated from Joliet Township High School with the Class of 1941. George proudly served his country and is a veteran of the United States Army Air Force. On May 8, 1954, he married Helen Sinchak in SS. Cyril and Methodius Church in Joliet, and together they lived in Joliet prior to moving to Wilmington in the 1970's.

It was in December of 1953 that George began his career in Wilmington, working for the Douglass Family who owned Community Motors. After the death of Mr. Douglass in 1967, George became the sole proprietor of Community Oldsmobile-Pontiac. The dealership expanded to offer GMC in 1993 and currently operates as Community GMC. Today the dealership remains in the Zouganelis family and is owned and operated by George's two sons George, Jr. and Peter.

George was a member of All Saint's Greek Orthodox Church in Joliet, and in his free time he enjoyed vegetable gardening. George will be remembered for his strong work ethic. Anyone that knew him, knew that the business was his pride and joy, and he found great satisfaction in seeing the legacy of the auto dealership carried on with his sons.

Survivors include his wife of 58 years: Helen; two sons: George, Jr. (Renee) Zouganelis and Peter Zouganelis, both of Wilmington; two grandchildren: Cassandra Zouganelis and Alexis Nicole Zouganelis; two step-grandchildren: Jeremy Hicks and Tyce Carlson; three sisters: Jennie McKanna and Kay Zouganelis, both of Joliet and Helen Skaropoulos of California; two sisters-in-law: Eugenia Zouganelis of Friendship, Wisconsin and Irene Schomer of Lisle and two brothers-in-law: Raymond Sinchak of Joliet and Michael Sinchak of Morris, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

George was preceded in death by his parents; adopted daughter Gail Douglass-Zouganelis; sister Kalilope Antoninis; three brothers: Theodore Zouganelis, Christo (Lillian) Zouganelis and James (Dorothy) Zouganelis, and one niece Denise Zouganelis.

Visitation and Video Tribute will be held on Thursday September 20, 2012 between the hours of 3:00PM and 8:00PM at Freitag-Reeves & Baskerville Funeral Home, 700 East Kahler Road in Wilmington. George will then lie in state at All Saints Greek Orthodox Church, 102 N. Broadway Street in Joliet on Friday September 21st from 9:00AM until time of Funeral Mass 10:00AM. Fr. Stefanos Bithos will officiate.

Burial with full military honors will be in Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery in Elwood.

Preferred memorials may be made as gifts in George's memory to Kuzma Care Cottage, 635 South Main Street, Wilmington, Illinois 60481, Saint Rose Church, 603 South Main Street, Wilmington, Illinois 60481, Saint Rose School, 626 South Kankakee Street, Wilmington, Illinois 60481 or All Saints Greek Orthodox Church, 102 North Broadway Street, Joliet, Illinois 60435.

Friends may sign the online guest book or send private condolences to the family by logging onto: www.FRBfuneral.com

Funeral services and arrangements have been made under the direction and care of Freitag-Reeves & Baskerville Funeral Home in Wilmington. (815/476-2181)