Keweenaw Report Your Source for Local News and Sports
As received from the O’Neill-Dennis Funeral Home:
George Edward Houle, 79, former Hancock postmaster, passed away on Thursday (Thanksgiving day), November 28, 2024 at Mission Point of Hancock with family at his side.
He was born on June 23, 1945 in Hancock to the late Robert and June (Koski) Houle and was a 1963 graduate of Hancock High School. Following graduation, George served in the United States Navy aboard the USS Essex aircraft carrier where he trained to be an electrician. He worked at Hancock Hardware for 20 years for the Manderfields, who he considered extended family. He then followed in his father’s and father-in-law’s footsteps and spent many years working for the U.S. Postal service as a mail carrier, retiring as Postmaster in Hancock.
He was united in marriage to Suzanne Jane Hauswirth of Hancock.
George was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Hancock, where he was a youth group volunteer, the American Legion, CCJHA hockey coach, and volunteered at Little Brothers~Friends of the Elderly, Omega House, 31 Backpacks, and Keweenaw Nordic Ski Club. A proud event took place in May of 2023 when he went to Washington, DC with the UP Honor Flight Mission XXI to Washington, DC with his daughter, Candi.
Besides his parents he was also preceded in death by his in-laws John and Ruth Hauswirth, son Randall Jon Houle who died in 1999, and brothers John and Bob.
He is survived by his wife, Suzanne; daughter Candace (Alan) Silvola and sons Spencer (Dayne Stuhr) and Sawyer (Kaylynn Pelto); daughter-in-law Joanna Houle-Vestich (Andy Vestich) and son Hunter (Chelsea Fiske); and his son Scott (Katie) Houle and daughters Stella and Eliza. Also surviving are sisters Pat (Doby) Doud, Michele (Jim-who he considered a brother) Kemppainen, Anne (Doug-deceased) Halgren, Jeanne (Jack) Peters, Lori (Larry) Pascador; and by many nieces, nephews, and cousins and pet dog Nina.
A memorial service will be held at 2:00 P.M. on Saturday, December 7, 2024 at the First United Methodist Church in Hancock with Pastor Taegyu Shin officiating. Spring interment will be at Forest Hill Cemetery with his son, Randy. Friends may call at the church for an hour before services.
Memorials may be directed to the Copper Country Humane Society or to Little Brothers~friends of the Elderly in the name of George Houle.
Special thanks to Jerry and Jean Parker for their cards, phone calls and visits to support George over the years, and to the staff at the Bluffs, U.P. Health System-Portage Hospital, and Mission Point for their care and comfort in his final days. We have comfort in knowing George and Randy are now together in Heaven.
The O’Neill-Dennis Funeral Home of Hancock is assisting with his arrangements. To leave online condolences, please go to www.oneilldennisfh.com.
