Submitted by: Mary Jo Koran

SBT – August 30, 1995

George E. Behnke Sr.

Nov. 22, 1911-Aug. 27, 1995

SOUTH BEND - George E. Behnke Sr., 83, of 1655 Southbrook Drive, and formerly of Koontz Lake and Gary, died Sunday in Memorial Hospital. Mr. Behnke was founder of Behnke Rug & Furniture Cleaners of Gary.

He was born Nov. 22, 1911. His wife, Charlotte Quilling, preceded him in death. Surviving are two sons, George Jr. of Gary and Rev. Robert, with whom he made his home; two granddaughters; and one great-grandson. He was a member of Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Merrillville, Ind., Theta Chi fraternity at Valparaiso University and was past president of Steel City Boys Club and was a former president of Starke County Ambulance Board.

Services will be at 1 p.m. Thursday in Pruzin Brothers Funeral Home Chapel, Merrillville. Burial will be in Ridgelawn Cemetery, Gary. Friends may call from 2 to 4 and 7 to 8 p.m. today in the funeral home.