George Mach

George Mach, age 97, of Utica, South Dakota, died on Wednesday, September 19, 2018 at Avera Sister James Care Center in Yankton, South Dakota. Funeral services are 10:30 AM, Tuesday, September 25, 2018 at the Wintz & Ray Funeral Home in Yankton with Reverend Scott Traynor officiating. Burial will be in St. John the Baptist Catholic Cemetery in Lesterville, South Dakota with military honors provided by the Ernest-Bowyer VFW Post No. 791 and the US Navy Funeral Honors. Visitation will be one hour prior to the funeral on Tuesday. George was born June 2, 1921 in Scotland, South Dakota to William and Kate (Pekas) Mach. He was raised on a farm one mile south of Joe's Substation near Utica. George was the youngest and last survivor of his siblings. He went to school to the eighth grade and later joined the United States Navy with his brother, John. He served overseas from 1942 to 1945 as a Naval Seabee during World War II in the South Pacific, constructing the base and landing strips for air planes and staging for the Guadalcanal battles at the home base island of Esperito Santos of the New Hebrids. After all the bananas he ate overseas, he could never eat another banana here in the United States, but bought many to give to neighbors. George was truly blessed to return home safely from the close battles he saw of the ships fighting out at sea. After his tour, he worked for the Thomas Carnival based out of Lennox, SD for a year, then returning to the family farm and helping his father's family business of well drilling. His father and brother Donald taught him the trade and later Donald and George had a well drilling business together for over 50 years. In 1962, George left well drilling to be a specialized welder for Morgen Manufacturing. He returned to the family business a few years later and helped farmers in several counties to provide working wells for many family farms. As we traveled around the various counties, he would tell stories of which farms he had fixed and who lived there. George's favorite hobbies were gardening, cooking, masonry, fixing, repairing anything, recycling and tinkering in his beloved shop. He was a friendly and caring person and made sure he supplied shelled black walnuts and horseradish for friends. He loved birds and animals and always had a special treat for dogs. George also told stories of his travels to Oregon to visit relatives and the fishing trips on the coast and driving truck to pick up fish for Joe's Substation. Donald and George had regular fishing, deer and elk hunting and camping trips and several stories to tell in their workshop. George is survived by several nieces and nephews; his extended caretaker family, Renee and Gary Becker and their children and grandchildren; and the friendly staff at Avera Sister James Care Center. George was preceded in death by his parents; six sisters: Rose, Clara, Mae, Anne, LyVonne, and Lillian; and three brothers: Bill, John and Donald. To send an online message to the family, please visit www.wintzrayfuneralhome.com.