ELWOOD — The community is invited to attend the funeral of an Elwood veteran who died with no family.
George R. Green, 89, passed away on December 5. He will receive funeral with full military honors on Thursday, December 19 at 11 a.m. at the Copher-Fesler-May Funeral Home.
The Madison County Coroner says Green died of natural causes, but they were unable to find any living relatives and he was released to the funeral home so he could be laid to rest.
According to his obituary, Green was a lifelong resident of Elwood and graduated from Wendell Wilkie High School. He was also a distinguished veteran who served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War and he was wounded in combat. Green was awarded four Bronze Star medals, a Korean Service medal and a United Nations Service medal for his service and he completed active duty in 1953.
The public funeral service honoring Green's life will be conducted by the pastor of the First Missionary Baptist Church along with assistance from Elwood Mayor Todd Jones, the Elwood Police Department, Elwood V.F.W. members, the Pipe Creek Township Trustee and the Indiana Patriot Guard. Following the 11 a.m. service, Green will be buried at 1 p.m. at the National Cemetery in Marion where full military honors will be conducted by the U.S. Army and Elwood V.F.W. honor guard.
Memorial contributions in Green's name can be made to the "Code of Vets" organization who assisted with George's funeral planning and expenses.
The public is invited to attend Thursday's service.
"Elwood residents and veterans from surrounding communities are encouraged to attend George’s funeral to demonstrate that no veteran remains alone at the end of a life that was once offered for service and sacrifice to his country," his obituary reads. "If any family members are found in the future, it is the hope of all involved that they will know Mr. Green was shown the highest level of honor and respect from his beloved hometown - the Elwood community."
You can read Green's full obituary as produced by the funeral home below.
George R. Green, age 89 and a lifelong resident of Elwood, passed away on December 5, 2019 at his home in Elwood. He was born May 25, 1930 in Elwood, the son of Oliver and Viola (White) Green. He graduated from Wendell L. Willkie High School in Elwood, and later enlisted in the U.S. Army in Indianapolis. He served honorably in the U.S. Army during the Korean War, and newspaper archives in Elwood reported that he was wounded in combat. He was held in a Korean hospital for shrapnel wounds where he met “Piper Laurie” – a well-known actress of the era, and he sang with her during her visit at the hospital. George returned to the war effort in his next rotation of service. By the end of his military service, he was awarded 4 Bronze Star Medals, a Korean Service Medal, and a United Nations Service Medal. George completed active duty on May 30, 1953 at Camp Carson Colorado and then returned home to live his life in the Elwood community.
To date, no surviving family members have been located for George Green, but many facts have surfaced about his life. George was raised in the First Baptist Church in Elwood where his parents were active members of the church for many years. He formerly worked at Standard Meat Market in Elwood as a meat cutter before his military service. Later, he operated a venetian blind repair business at his home for many years. He never married or had any children and remained living in his family’s Elwood home all of his life. He was a member of the Elwood V.F.W. post 5782 where he occasionally visited to spend time with fellow veterans. Former neighbors report that he especially enjoyed spending time in his workshop and tending to his annual vegetable garden. George was remembered for being a quiet and humble man who simply stayed to himself. He would occasionally ask for assistance from a neighbor or friend – but not often. It appears George was happy with his life just the way it was – quiet and simple.
George’s known family includes his deceased parents, Oliver and Viola (White) Green; a deceased brother who also served in the U.S. Military, Charles B. Green; deceased grandparents, Charles and Mary Green and George and Auta White; 6 nieces and nephews of unknown whereabouts; and friends at the Elwood V.F.W.
A public funeral service honoring George Green’s life will be conducted at 11:00 am on Thursday, December 19, 2019 at Copher-Fesler-May Funeral Home in Elwood with Pastor Rodney Ellis of the First Missionary Baptist Church officiating. There will be assistance from Mayor Todd Jones, the Elwood Police Department, Elwood V.F.W. members, the Pipe Creek Township Trustee, and the Indiana Patriot Guard. Burial will follow at 1:00 pm at the Marion National Cemetery in Marion where full military honors will be conducted by the U.S. Army and Elwood V.F.W. honor guard. Memorial contributions may be made to the "Code of Vets" organization who assisted with George's expenses at www.codeofvets.com. Elwood residents and veterans from surrounding communities are encouraged to attend George’s funeral to demonstrate that no veteran remains alone at the end of a life that was once offered for service and sacrifice to his country. If any family members are found in the future, it is the hope of all involved that they will know Mr. Green was shown the highest level of honor and respect from his beloved hometown - the Elwood community.
