George John Jaeger

George John Jaeger, 99, of St. Joseph, passed away on Thursday, October 6, 2016 at The Whitcomb.  A Celebration of Life Service will be held 11:00 a.m. Thursday, October 13, 2016 at First Congregational Church, 2001 Niles Ave., St. Joseph, with Rev. Dr. Robert Braman, Sr. officiating. A private burial will take place at Riverview Cemetery at a later date. Friends may visit with the family prior to the service beginning at 9:30 a.m. at the church. Memorial contributions may be made to the First Congregational Church or St. Joseph Lions Club. Those wishing to leave an online condolence may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com.  George was born October 15, 1916, in Chicago, IL. to Joseph and Martha (Ziebart) Jaeger. He graduated from St. Joseph High School in 1934 and graduated from Michigan State University Insurance School. He married the love of his life, Virginia “Ginny” Karsen, on February 17, 1940 in South Bend, IN.  A proud veteran and true patriot, George served his country in the U.S. Navy and was in Japan during WWII. He proudly flew the American Flag. George wore many hats during his work career from a butcher at Ziebart’s market, to traffic manager at Thiesen Clemens, to insurance agent. In 1960 he purchased the Nathan Preston Insurance Agency and merged it with several other agencies to form Jaeger-Allen Insurance Agency and in 1981 formed Combined Insurance Agency. In 1973, George purchased and restored the Preston Home on State Street.  “Lion George” not only was a member and past president (1979) of St. Joseph Lions Club, but also a proud member of Lions International and loved to visit local Lions Clubs during his travels. He enjoyed being outdoors and spent much of his time on the golf course both here and in Biloxi, MS. He was a former president of Berrien Hills Country Club and actually walked the course to place the distance markers. Those who knew him well would take care to be prompt or suffer the tapping of a finger on his wristwatch to admonish them for tardiness.  He supported youth in our area both through St. Joseph Alumni organizations and The Boy Scouts. Also a member of “The Coffee Club”, George and his friends would meet weekday mornings at area restaurants and solve the problems of the world. In 1979, George became interested in genealogy after meeting Mrs. Zupann from St. Joseph. He then founded the genealogy department at Maud Preston Palenkse Library in St. Joseph.  George is survived by his daughter, Anne “A.J” (Edwin) Jaeger-Heiden of St. Joseph; cousins, Richard Ziebart, Robert Ziebart, and Ken Ziebart; Dearest friends, John Fetters, Jimmy Butt, John Breinling, and many more golfing and coffee friends; as well as numerous additional cousins, nieces, and nephews.  He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Ginny; son, Gregory L. Jaeger; brother, Martin A. Jaeger; and cousin, Al Ziebart.