George Edward Nettels, age 94, died in his home on March 5, 2022. He was born in Pittsburg, Kansas on October 20, 1927, to Mathilde Anne (Wülke) and George Edward Nettels, Sr. He attended Pittsburg public schools and graduated in 1944 from Pittsburg High School. George attended the University of Kansas where he was a letterman on the KU swim team and a member of Beta Theta Pi fraternity. After serving in the United States Army from 1946-1947, he graduated from KU in February, 1950 with a degree in Civil Engineering.
George married Mary Joanne (Josie) Meyers on July 19, 1952, in Kansas City, Mo. She preceded him death on January 24, 2017. Together, they had 4 children: Chris Nettels (Angelyn), Meg Lindsey (John), Kate Faerber (John) and Becky Sloan (Steve), 11 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren.
George spent most of his professional life in Pittsburg where he owned and operated Midwest Minerals, Inc. and in 1970 was named Chairman of the Board and, later President and CEO, of McNally Manufacturing. George was involved in many business and philanthropic endeavors in his lifetime. His passions laid in many areas but nowhere more than the University of Kansas where his parents, children and many grandchildren attended. He was a lifetime Trustee of the KU Endowment Association, serving on the executive committee from 1979-1989. He was a life member of the KU Chancellors Club and KU Alumni Association, a member of the national KU Alumni Board, where he served as national Chair from 1977-1978 and was co-chair of the Adams Alumni Center Steering Committee. In 1980, George was awarded the KU Distinguished Service Citation, in 1982 the Fred Ellsworth Medallion and in 1985 the Distinguished Engineering Service Award.
George was involved, locally, in many organizations. He was a founding member of Crestwood Country Club, was a member, and past President, of the USD 250 Board of Education, President of the Pittsburg Chamber of Commerce, past Chairman of Mt. Carmel Hospital Board of Trustee’s and a founding member of the Community Foundation of Southeast Kansas. He was, also, a past member of the PSU Center for Business and Economic Development Board and was a member of the Board of Advisors for the Kelce College of Business. He was a supporter of PSU Athletics, The Bicknell Family Center for the Arts and a Friend of Timmons Chapel. George and Josie spent time together in their later years delivering Meals on Wheels.
In 1986, George was named Kansan of the Year by the Native Sons and Daughters of Kansas. From 1966-1968, he served as Chairman of the Kansas State Republican Party and, during that same time, acted as Chairman of the National Limestone Institute. He was past Chair of the National Association of Manufacturers and was Chairman of the Board of the Kansas Chamber of Commerce and Industry. He, also, served as a director of Kansas City Power and Light.
Memorial Mass and Christian Burial will be at 10:00 on Thursday, March 10th at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Pittsburg, KS, with Fr. Gabriel Greer as Celebrant. Private family burial will be at Highland Park Cemetery. A parish rosary will be prayed at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church at 6:00 pm on Wednesday, March 9 and the family will receive friends following. In lieu of flowers, the family invites memorial contributions to KU Endowment Association, Our Lady of Lourdes Memorial Fund, Community Foundation of Southeast Kansas, and the PSU Foundation. These may be left at the church or sent to Brenner Mortuary, 114 East 4th, Pittsburg, KS 66762.
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