George W. Thesken Jr

George W Thesken Jr, 95, loving husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather, and brother, died peacefully at his assisted living home on Thursday, June 27, 2024, surrounded by family. George was born July 25, 1928, in Cincinnati, OH to George Sr and Colletta (Grupenhof) Thesken and grew up there with his younger sister Jean. George met the love of his life, Shirley Haeckl, going home from high school on a streetcar. They married six years later and spent 74 loving years together. George began working in the shoe business after school as a stock boy at Ludwig’s Shoe where he would become manager. Over the next 40 years, George owned and operated family shoe stores around Cincinnati including Hyde Park and Groesbeck. George and Shirley raised their family in the St James Parish, White Oak and were active in the Knights of Columbus making many close family friendships. Retiring to New Smyrna Beach, FL, George built their new home in the Pine Island community where he was a founding member of the community’s volunteer group. Together, George and Shirley enjoyed traveling and golfing. George played at the New Smyrna Beach Municipal Golf Course and was a regular volunteer with Shirley at LPGA tournaments held at their International Course in Daytona. George loved collecting and building wooden sailing ship models that were displayed at home and sometimes at the Daytona Museum of Art. As Shirley’s health declined in later years, George’s devoted care made it possible for Shirley to remain in her beloved home until her passing in September 2022. 

Survivors include George’s loving children, John C. (Ing-Britt) Thesken, Kelly C. Thesken and Marci A. Thesken; grandchildren, William and Hanna Thesken, Heather Gibson and Tina Barnett and great grandchildren, Mia Vadnais, Jameson and Isabella Smith, and Kristlyn Barnett; and sister, Jean Joyce. A Memorial Mass will be held 10:30 AM Friday, September 20, 2024, at St James the Greater Catholic Church, White Oak, OH. In lieu of flowers, please support Catholic Education at https://stjameswo.org/support-st-james, https://www.mercymcauley.org/support-us/make-a-gift or https://www.lasallehs.net/advancement/ways-to-give.

Condolences and special memories of George can be shared with his family online at www.heritagecremationsociety.com