George Frederick Schoonover, 92, of Vero Beach, passed away on July 11, 2016.
He was preceded in death by his wife Bette Harriman Schoonover.
He is survived by their four children: Polly Schoonover, Charlie (Lori) Schoonover, all of Vero Beach, Patty (Tom) Jones of Albuquerque, N.M., and Tom Schoonover of Austin, Texas; five grandchildren: Alex (Marcella), Mally, and Nash Jones, Sutton Schoonover, and Tansey Schoonover; and great-granddaughter Pearl Jones.
Born Aug. 14, 1923, in Lima Ohio, he was the son of Helen Wemmer and Thomas R. Schoonover.
Schoonover was a graduate of Western Reserve Academy in Hudson, Ohio. He attended The Ohio State University, before enlisting in the United States Army Air Corps. During World War II, he completed 23 missions for the 8th Air Force, flying a P-51 Mustang.
After his honorable discharge, he married Bette Harriman, on Oct. 12, 1946. They settled in Lima, Ohio, where Schoonover worked in an executive capacity at The City Loan and Savings Company until 1974.
He was also a member of the board of directors of The Metropolitan Bank of Lima, and was a founder and member of the board of directors of North American Equitable Life Assurance Corporation, and its succeeding parent North American National Corp.
During his years in Lima, Schoonover was involved in many civic organizations. He served for 21 years on the board of Lima Memorial Hospital, seven years as the President; he was elected and served for six years on the Lima City School Board; he served on the board of the Lima Community Chest, and with many others, helped form the current United Way of Greater Lima.
Most important to Schoonover was his family, and spending time with them. He was active in golf, tennis, skiing, bowling, backyard basketball, ping-pong, and he played a mean game of pool. His pool game was so good that he beat Minnesota Fats at the Lima Club. (“Go ahead kid, tell anyone you want – they’ll never believe you.”)
His kids also remember him as the starter for their many swim meets at Shawnee Country Club. In 1974, he and Bette moved to John’s Island, in Vero Beach. After a few years of retirement, they bought The Gifted Cook in February 1978, and enjoyed their life together as shop owners. Trips to Dallas and San Francisco yearly to buy for the store were highlights. They were members of John’s Island Club, Vero Beach Yacht Club, and Schoonover was a founding member of Bent Pine Golf Club.
His family would like to thank all of the amazing and loving people at Grace Rehab Center who cared for him in his final years.
A private memorial service will be scheduled at a later date. In lieu of flowers, contributions in his name may be made to Dogs For Life, Inc., 1230 16th Avenue, Vero Beach, Florida 32960.
Strunk Funeral Home is handling arrangements; www.strunkfuneralhome.com.
