George L. Wehrle

George L. Wehrle (Dink), age 81, of Muncie, Indiana, passed away peacefully in Spring Lake, Michigan, on Thursday, October 16, 2025, surrounded by his family.

Born on November 4, 1943, in Louisville, Kentucky, George was the son of George W. and June Augusta Wehrle, II. He graduated from Sharpsville High School (Sharpsville, Pennsylvania) in 1961. After relocating with his family from Sharon, Pennsylvania, to Muncie, Indiana, George met and married the love of his life, Linda L. Doughty. Together, they shared over sixty-one years of marriage, raising four children and building a life filled with love, laughter, and tradition.

George built a successful career at Westinghouse, where he worked for 45 years until his retirement.

Wherever George and Linda were, that was the place everyone wanted to be. Together, they hosted legendary parties filled with late-night bonfires, incredible food, music that rocked the neighborhood, and fireworks that lit up the sky.

George loved to fish, camp, garden, and read, but his greatest gift was his storytelling. He entertained his children and grandchildren with jokes, card tricks, and his flawless reciting of “Jabberwocky”—perfect and amazing every time we heard it. Above all, George loved being at home with his family. He instilled in all of us a love of tradition: prayers and cheers before family meals, Thanksgiving trees, Christmas trees and trains that filled entire rooms, birthday cookouts, Steelers football, and the joy of family gatherings, no matter the occasion.

George is survived by his children: Kathy (Eric) Gregory, Jennifer (Fred) Kilbry, Kerry (Rod) Russell, and Michael Wehrle; his grandchildren: Jacob (Kelsie) Gregory, Paige (Kylan) Arnold, Andrew (Jeanna) Kilbry, Rachel (Ryan) Hooker, Alicia Kilbry, Jamie Faust, and Phoebe Brothers; and his great-grandchildren: Copeland and Parker Gregory, Kilian Koert, Everett and Luna Hooker. He is also survived by his brother Don (Margaret) Wehrle, and sisters, Sharyn (Rod) Muzzarelli, and Sandy (Danny) Silvers.

He was preceded in death by Linda, his wife of 61 years; his parents: George and June Wehrle, II; his brother Tinney Wehrle and his sister Pam (Dave) Crabtree.

A special thank-you goes to Jenny, Mike, and Fred for taking such good care of Dad over the past six months. While we knew the only place he truly wanted to be was with Mom, we take comfort knowing that they are together now—holding hands and dancing to whoever is winning the argument over who was better, Buddy or Elvis.

"Just you know why
Why you and I
Will by and by
Know true love ways."
So long, Dad, Papap, Great-Papap… until we meet again.

George’s family will honor his life with a private Celebration of Life. Donations in George’s memory may be made to the Harbor Hospice Foundation, Muskegon, Michigan.