Dr. George Powers, Jr., 89, passed away Tuesday, Nov. 24, 2009, at his home.
Dr. Powers was the beloved husband of Weeta (Robinson) Powers; loving father of George Ronald (MaryAnne) Powers, Kathryn Ann (Donald) Fox, Sally Powers (John) Pelling; dear grandfather of Suzi, John, Christopher, Lauren, Brian, Patrick, Kathryn, Jonathon, Nicholas, and Kristen, and great-grandfather of Addison, Emily and Charles.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Bessie and Dr. George Powers, and his daughter, Betty Jane.
Dr. Powers was born May 3, 1920, in Streator, Ill. He was a 1938 graduate of Streator Township High School and received his bachelor's degree in 1941 from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where he was a member of Theta Chi fraternity. He graduated in 1945 from the University of Illinois medical school, where he was a member of Phi Beta Pi. Soon after, he became the physician for the Marshall Fields' store on State Street in Chicago.
Dr. Powers married Weeta Adele Robinson on Dec. 27, 1943, at her parents' home in Mazon.
Dr. Powers was a captain in the United States Army, serving in Japan and Korea for two years during the post war clean-up. Upon returning from Korea, he completed his residency as an OB-GYN at Presbyterian St. Luke's Hospital in Chicago.
He returned to Streator and joined his father in medical practice as a general practitioner and surgeon. He and his father later founded The Powers' Clinic in Streator. Throughout his career, Dr. Powers delivered more than 4,000 babies in Streator. He served as Chief of Staff at St. Mary's Hospital in Streator, and he was also the physician for the Sante Fe Railroad.
He served on the Streator Township High School board during the era of the high school expansion in the 1960s. He was also a member of Rotary. He and his brother-in-law, Mr. John Gilchrist, founded Starved Rock Marina in Ottawa in 1956 where Dr. Powers and his wife have resided for the last 30 years.
After retiring in 1985, Dr. Powers spent many winters at the Makaha Valley Towers in Oahu, Hawaii, with his friends and family. He was a remarkable photographer, excellent bridge and chess player and avid tennis player.
Dr. Powers will be remembered as a wonderful doctor, loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather.
A private family service was held on Friday, Nov. 27, 2009, at the Solon Telford Funeral Home. Pallbearers were his six grandsons John, Chris, Brian, Pat, Jon and Nick.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the National Children's Leukemia Foundation, National Alzheimer's Association and St. Mary's Hospital in Streator.
Solon Telford Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. For more information, call 815-672-2320.