George James Pranaitis, age 89, of Eveleth died Sunday, May 15, 2016, at Essentia Health Virginia Care Center. He was born August 28, 1926, in Collinsville, IL, the son of Joseph and Eva Pranaitis. He graduated from Collinsville High School. George was united in marriage to Fran Stone in 1948, and following her death was married to Jean Decorsey until her death. A Veteran of the US Army, George served during WWII.

George worked as a manager for JC Penney, and was in fact hired by Mr. Penney himself. He managed stores in Illinois, Indiana, South Dakota, and Minnesota. He assisted his daughter, Debbi at Little Italy in Gilbert. After his retirement and up until the time of his death, George worked for Green View as a maintenance man for the DNR office in Eveleth. His greatest achievement was building 838 Bluebird houses and 2393 Wood Duck houses that were used on private and state lands and were donated to various wildlife organizations.

George is survived by his daughter: Debbi (Tom) Rusch of Eveleth; his grandchildren: Jayme Hall of Inver Grove Heights, MN, and Jennifer (Sean) Walters of Duluth, MN; great-grandchildren: Elisha James, and one "on the way"; his sister: Helen Ross of Watauga TX, and many friends.

George was preceded in death by his parents; wives: Fran and Jean; brothers: Joseph Jr., Frank, William, Alphonse, Alex, and Casimir; and sisters: Alice and Mary.

Visitation will be from 6:00 pm until the 7:00 pm Memorial Service Thursday, May 19, 2016, at the Bauman-Cron Funeral Home Chapel. Fr. Frank Perkovich will officiate. Inurnment will be at a later date in Calvary Cemetery in Virginia.

Family Services are provided by Bauman-Cron, a Bauman Family Funeral Home, in Virginia. To express condolences on-line please see: www.baumanfuneralhome.com.

Gathering Time for Family & Friends

Thursday May 19, 2016 , 6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. at Bauman-Cron Funeral Home Chapel

Memorial Service

Thursday May 19, 2016 , 7:00 p.m. at Bauman-Cron Funeral Home Chapel

Inurnment at a later date

at Calvary Cemetery - Virginia

1-888-579-7953 Code: 74804P


Facts Born: August 28, 1926
Place of Birth: Collinsville, IL
Death: May 15, 2016
Place of Death: Virginia, MN
Occupation: manager for JC Penney, and was in fact hired by Mr. Penney himself. He managed stores in Illinois, Indiana, South Dakota, and Minnesota. He assisted his daughter, Debbi at Little Italy in Gilbert
Hobbies: His greatest achievement was building 838 Bluebird houses and 2393 Wood Duck houses that were used on private and state lands and were donated to various wildlife organizations.
Organizations: After his retirement and up until the time of his death, George worked for Green View as a maintenance man for the DNR office in Eveleth