Mr. George L. Wine

August 27, 1925 - April 19, 2015

George LeRoy Wine, 89, died Sunday, April 19, 2015, at the home of his son, Tom Wine, in Jacksonville, Florida.

There will be a brief visitation from 2:00 p.m. until 2:45 p.m. on Saturday, April 25, 2015, at Sawyer-Pickett Funeral Home in North Vernon, Indiana. A graveside service with military honors will follow at 3:00 p.m. at Hillcrest City Cemetery. Officiating will be the Rev. John M. Imbler and the Rev. Bethany Imbler Albrecht.

Born August 27, 1925, in Muncie, George was the son of Russell Leo (Raymond) Wine and Rachel Jeanette Costerison Wine. After graduating from Royerton High School in 1943, he enlisted in the U.S. Army, serving as a radio operator in the 387th Infantry Regiment of the 97th Infantry Division in Central Europe. Following the cease-fire in Europe, his division was redeployed for occupational duty in Japan. After honorable discharge from the service, he was employed by Colonial Bakery in Muncie, Indiana.

In 1951, he married Ilene Eastman; and they moved to Kokomo in 1957 where Mr. Wine was employed as a manager at Dietzen Bakery. In 1962, he fulfilled a dream of owning his own business when he purchased the Dairy Queen located on North Street in Kokomo. Before his retirement, he owned several Dairy Queens in Kokomo where he was known for his friendliness, fairness, and honesty.

When living in Kokomo, he was a member of First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). After retiring, Mr. Wine and his wife lived in South Carolina for several years before settling in St. Augustine, Florida in 1997.

Survivors include a son, Thomas Wine (Michelle), daughters, Diana Brockmann (Robert), Toni Imbler (John), Mona Johnson, and Colleen Trager; grandchildren, Chelsea Wine Sokoloff (Mike), Shalane Wine, Foster Wine, Harrison Wine, Lance Brockmann, Kelly Brockmann Hardin (Greg), Kristin Brockmann Jansen (Mark), John A. Imbler (Trisha), Bethany Imbler Albrecht, Catherine Imbler Schulz (Isaac), Kari Johnson Chapman (Jason), April (Trager) Payne (Brian); 17 great-grandchildren; nieces, Judy Beard and Linda Roberts (Steve); and friend ("son"), Larry Mazzola.

Mr. Wine was preceded in death by his wife of 61 years, Ilene; his parents; his brother and sister-in-law, Robert and Martha Wine.

Donations Information

Memorial contributions may be made to the George L. and Ilene J. Wine Endowed Scholarship at Phillips Theological Seminary, 901 N. Mingo Rd., Tulsa OK 74116.