Funeral services were held for George Cresswell of New York Mills, Minnesota on Wednesday, May 2, 2007 at 11:00 a.m. at the Trinity Lutheran Church in New York Mills, Minnesota with Pastor Jon T. Haakana and Pastor Rod Krueger officiating. The hymns were sung by the congregation, special music was provided by Greg Esala and Gary Bach and the organist was Ardis Esala. The pallbearers were Steven Koivula, Paul Lepisto, David Paavola, Gary Paavola, Todd Paavola, John Paavola and Steven Pokorney. The honorary pallbearers were Reverend Daniel Paavola and Reverend Roger Paavola. Military honors were provided by the Charles D. Center Post #3289 of New York Mills, Minnesota. George will be laid to rest in Greenwood Cemetery in New York Mills, Minnesota.
George Foster Cresswell was born on March 15, 1924 in Snowden, Pennsylvania. His parents were the late Samuel and Mae (Foster) Cresswell. He attended school near California, Pennsylvania. George entered the service in 1941 and served in the United States Army Air Force as a tail gunner and radio operator from 1942 to 1945 in the South Pacific Campaign. He returned home as a decorated hero. After his discharge, he lived in California and later in the Detroit, Michigan area. George was united in marriage to Viola Marion Paavola in 1951 at Trinity Lutheran Church in New York Mills, Minnesota. They lived in Dearborn Heights, Michigan until 1971 when they moved to New York Mills, Minnesota. They remained in New York Mills. George was active in many organizations throughout his life, including the Leaf River Chapter of Habitat for Humanity, he volunteered at Lakeland Hospice, previously a member of the Lions Club, he was a member of the Charles D. Center V.F.W. Post #3289 of New York Mills, Minnesota, he was a board member of the Community Action Counsel, and active peer counselor for the blind, he was previously on the board for State Services for the Blind, a Senior Citizen's Board Member, he was active in Lutheran Brotherhood and the New York Mills Regional Cultural Center, and George was always a willing volunteer for Church and civic activities. George loved gardening, fishing, sports, woodworking and was a hunter and bowler when he was younger. George and Viola had four children, three of whom survived him: Cynthia (Scott) Cresswell; George Jr. (Cindy) Cresswell and Daniel Cresswell. George passed away peacefully at the Perham Memorial Hospital surrounded by his family on Friday, April 27, 2007 at 9:30 p.m. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends. George was preceded in death by his daughter, Virginia; his parents, Samuel and Mae; two sisters: Ruth and Lois; a brother, Herbert "Sammy" Cresswell; and his step-mother, Janet.
George is survived by his wife, Viola Cresswell of New York Mills; a daughter, Cynthia (Scott) Cresswell of Rushford; sons: George Jr. (Cindy) Cresswell of Fargo, North Dakota; and Daniel Cresswell of Ottertail; a brother, Gary; four sisters: Dolly, Evelyn, Billie and Janet; many other relatives and a host of friends.
Arrangements were provided by the Karvonen & Son Funeral Home in New York Mills, Minnesota.
