Surrounded by his wife of almost 65 years and his loving family, George J. Prelac passed into eternal rest at 1:00am on Monday July 4, 2016 in Scottsdale Arizona. Born to Joseph and Rose Berger Prelac on April 27, 1927, George was a lifelong resident of Newton Falls until recently, where he and his wife resided with their daughter in Scottsdale Arizona until his death. He married Betty J. DelVecchio on July 14, 1951. They were blessed with five children, Christine Wolcott of Scottsdale, AZ, Joseph (Diane) Prelac of Stockbridge, GA, and Rose Marie (Mark) Benich of Glendale, AZ. Georgann (Patrick) McCoy of Scottsdale, AZ and Martin Prelac of Lawrenceville, GA preceded him in death. George and Betty also have 9 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. He is survived by his youngest sister, Regina (Bruce) Maxwell of College Park, GA and preceded in death by his sisters Kay Bocan, Mary Ginter, Pauline Gombos, and Anne Shaw, and his brother John Prelac. George graduated from Newton Falls High School in 1945, enlisted in the US Navy and served until his discharge in 1946. He retired from the Ravenna Army Ammunition Plant as a full-time firefighter, and for 64 years, operated George's Shoe Sales & Service in Newton Falls. He was an Eagle Scout, member of St. Joseph's Church, served as Newton Township Trustee, a member of the Croatian Fraternal Union of America, a Fire Board member, a former Knights of Columbus member, a Captain with the Newton Falls Joint Fire District and for a time, served as Interim Fire Chief. Calling hours will be held from 8:00-10:00 am on Saturday, July 23 at James Funeral Home in Newton Falls, followed by a celebration of Mass at St. Joseph's Church in Newton Falls at 10:30am. George will be laid to rest at St. Joseph Cemetery in Newton Falls. A luncheon at the church will be served immediately following the graveside service. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that all donations be made to the Newton Falls Joint Fire District 45 East Broad St. Newton Falls, OH 44444 in memory of George J. Prelac. Arrangements have been entrusted to the James Funeral Home, Inc., 8 East Broad Street, Newton Falls, OH 44444 (330) 872-5440. Family and friends may view this obituary online or to send condolences to the family, please visit us at www.jamesfuneralhomeinc.com

Saturday, July 23, 2016 10:30 AM

St. Mary & St. Joseph Church 131 West Quarry Street Newton Falls, Ohio 44444