George Howard Mears went to be with the Lord on December 18, 2021 at St. Franciscan East Hospital in Lafayette, IN at the age of 68. George was the first born son of Keith Monroe Mears and Rozella Kerlin Mears. He married Deborah Jane DeKoyer at the Presbyterian Church of La Porte in La Porte, IN. They enjoyed over 41 years of marriage raising three children on the family farm in rural Delphi.

George was a 1971 graduate of Delphi Community High School. After high school, he attended Purdue University and graduated with a degree in Agricultural Mechanization.  At Purdue, George was a member of the Alpha Gamma Rho (AGR) fraternity and was the Founding Chairman of the Boilermaker National Tractor Pull. He remained an avid Purdue sports fan for life. After graduating from Purdue, he worked at Allis Chalmers as a Test Engineer at the La Porte Implement Factory, and then as a district salesman in Northern Illinois.

George later returned to Indiana where he raised cattle, corn, soybeans, and wheat with family. Along with farming, he sold Growers Mineral Solutions, Phase II Inc. Natural Farming Products, ran a custom spraying and lime spreading business, and sometimes hauled and spread driveway stone.  Passionate about doing things the right way, his farm was Certified Organic before it was the cool thing to do. He was a board member of the Midwest Organic Famers Cooperative. Later, George started George’s Country Beef, a canned meat company, and enjoyed selling his beef directly to consumers across the state and in local grocery stores.

George enjoyed being an active public servant. He served as a Carroll County Commissioner from 2004 to 2008. He continued serving on the Wabash River Heritage Corridor Commission and Carroll County Economic Development Corporation.

A stranger to no one, George was first to lend a hand to anyone in need. He was known for hauling anything to anywhere for his many friends and neighbors with his pickup truck and trailer. George enjoyed making maple syrup for those in his life to enjoy.

George was also a lifelong member of the Delphi United Methodist Church. He liked the praise band, especially the drums, and looked forward to his Sunday school class, the Toolmen of God, every Sunday.

He enjoyed driving and taking the scenic route any chance he could on his adventures. In his younger years, he enjoyed snow skiing trips all over the United States with family and friends. He loved the sound of a one cylinder steam engine and went to steam and power shows whenever he could attend. He always appreciated a good meal, loved trying new foods, and surprised people when he ordered the fruitiest drink on the menu.

George is survived by his wife, Deb; son, Keith (Kristen) Mears of Delphi, IN; daughter, Ann (Quincy) Cunningham of Zionsville, IN; daughter, Grace Mears of College Station, TX; sister, Dottie (Scott) Rouse of Indianapolis, IN; sister, Melissa Maxwell of West Lafayette, IN; brother, Tom (Julie) Mears of Delphi, IN. Also surviving are three grandchildren, Charlotte, Graham, and Henry Mears, who he loved spending time with.

He was preceded in death by his parents and brother-in-law, Chuck Maxwell.

 The Mears family invites friends and family to visit on Wednesday, December 22, from 3:00pm  to 7:00pm, at the Delphi United Methodist Church, 1796 N. US 421, Delphi, IN 46923. A celebration of George’s life will be at 11:00am Thursday, December 23 at the Delphi United Methodist Church, Pastor Todd Ladd officiating. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Wabash & Erie Canal Association or the Delphi Preservation Society, envelopes will be available at the church. To view his obit or send an online condolence to the family, visit: www.abbottfuneralhome.com

Abbott Funeral Home, Inc., Delphi, is assisting the family with arrangements.