Feb.
13, 1928 - April 23, 2009GRANGER - George James Chiames, 81, of Hendersonville, NC, died Thursday, April 23, 2009. He was born February 13, 1928, in Freeport, IL, and was preceded in death by his mother, Evangelia Petropoulos, his father, James Chiamopoulos, his first wife, Kay Volpe of 19 years, his second wife, Barbara Luna of 28 years, and by a stepson, Christopher Luna. George graduated from Freeport High School and the University of Michigan, was a veteran of World War II and the Korean War, and became a successful businessman working for numerous companies including Honeywell (Micro Switch Division), Stewart-Warner Corporation, Associated Mills, Inc., Skyline Corporation, Beatrice Foods Group, and Newell Rubbermaid. In 1975 he received a patent for the joint structure for modular shelf assembly. After his retirement in 1983, George volunteered his time and knowledge to struggling entrepreneurs, teaching them how to make their businesses more profitable. In 1996 he was selected Small Business Advocate of the Year. George resided in Granger, IN, for over 25 years and it was often you could see him playing golf on his favorite course, enjoying Saturday morning breakfast with friends, and having backyard, over-the-fence conversations with his neighbors. He is survived by his three children, Karen Ashby (husband, Rich Ashby) of Flat Rock, NC, Christopher Chiames and Gregory Chiames, both of Mishawaka, IN; step-daughter, Gail Hickey (husband, Terrence Hickey) of South Bend, IN; two grandchildren, five step-grandchildren and three great-grandchildren; his sister, Georgia Balsamo of Freeport, IL, and her five children and their families. After his second wife's death in 2003, George came to live in the Hendersonville, NC, area and spent the last three years at Henderson's Assisted Living Facility putting a smile on the faces of director Angie Crummie, the staff and residents who became his large extended family. A celebration of his life was held on Saturday, April 25, 2009, at the Morris Funeral Home in Asheville, NC, with his hospice chaplain, Skip Snyder, presiding. His passing during Greek Orthodox Bright Week and on his name's day (St. George) is a special blessing and comfort to us all. In the words of Helen Keller, "What we have once enjoyed we can never lose. All that we love deeply becomes a part of us."