FOEHNER, George Allan

Arizona Daily Sun, Flagstaff, AZ Saturday, May 07, 2011 George Allan Foehner, 90, died May 4, 2011, in Flagstaff. He was born April 2, 1921, to Benno and Zoe Ellen Foehner in Bellville, Texas. He moved to Winslow on Aug. 7, 1921. He graduated from Winslow High School in 1939, where he lettered in football, basketball and track. He married Joanna Marie Grevillius on Dec. 21, 1947. Mr. Foehner worked for the Santa Fe Telegraph Office in Winslow from Aug. 23, 1940, to Jan. 17, 1942, before entering military service. He served in the U.S. Navy from Jan. 29, 1942, to Dec. 11, 1947. He received a Navy and Marine Corps Medal for distinguishing himself by heroism on June 8, 1944, when the U.S.S. Rich suffered mining in enemy waters and was in a sinking condition. He boarded this vessel and removed 11 crew members who would have died without his aid. After military service, he returned to work at the Santa Fe Telegraph Office in Winslow from 1947 until his retirement in 1982. He was a member of The First United Methodist Church for 64 years. He loved his church and enjoyed planting flowers and keeping the grounds well groomed. He was a member of the Masonic Winslow Lodge No. 13 F. & A.M. for 50 years. In 1980, he received Citizen of the Year for Community Enrichment from the Winslow Chamber of Commerce. He was added to the WHS Wall of Honor in March of 2009. He was a loyal Bulldog fan for more than 60 years. He attended all the home games and when he couldn't make the games, he listened to them on the radio. He enjoyed spending time with his family, children and grandchildren. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, wood cutting, camping and gardening. In his younger years he enjoyed picking pinons and would often climb in the trees to shake the branches so more pinons would fall. Some of his favorite hobbies were trapping gophers and he loved taking pictures. He looked forward to family dinners and barbecues as he loved to eat. He loved just driving around Winslow to see what was happening. Mr. Foehner is survived by his brother, Benno Jr. (Mel) of Phoenix; children Linda Woem, Sylvia (Mike) Hartnett and Georgia Foehner; daugher-in-law Pam Pruitt; six grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, Benno and Zoe Ellen Foehner; his wife of more than 54 years, Joanna; his son, Bruce; and son-in-law Robert Woern. A funeral service will be Tuesday, May 10, at 10 a.m. at First United Methodist Church in Winslow. Interment to follow service at Desert View Cemetery. Visitation will be at Greer's Mortuary Chapel, on Monday, May 9, from 5 to 7 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to First United Methodist Church 101 E. Hillview St., Winslow.