George J. Utz

East Palestine, OH-June 9, 2005-George J. Utz, age 68, of 712 W. Grant Street died at his home Thursday morning.

Mr. Utz was born May 19, 1937 in Cicero, IL, a son of the late Herbert and Julia Angelus Utz and had lived in the Columbiana County area since 1976.

He was an industrial designer and ceramic engineer for Taylor Smith and Taylor and Anchor Hocking in Lancaster, OH for many years. During college, Mr. Utz was a first string tackle for the University of Illinois and he also played football while serving in the US Army. He was a member of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, East Palestine.

His wife, the former Mary L. Thornton, whom he married December 2, 1961 died January 23, 2000.

He is survived by two daughters and their husbands, Donna and Stephen Mobley of Negley, OH and Mary Julia Utz and Stanley Haynes of Edison, NJ; a granddaughter, Samantha Mobley; and his beloved canine companion, Abbey.

He was also preceded in death by a brother, Herbert Utz.

A Mass of Christian burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, June 14, 2005 at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church with Reverend Edward Brienz officiating. Burial will follow in St. Mary's Cemetery. Friends may call from 1-3 and 6-8 p.m. Monday at the Van Dyke-Swaney Funeral Home, East Palestine.