George W. Flockerzi, 75, a resident of 343 Billingsley Road, Oakland Township went on his final mission trip to be with Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Monday, August 11, 2014 at UPMC-Presbyterian Hospital in Pittsburgh; surrounded by his loving family.
He was born October 12, 1938 in Oil City, a beloved son of the late Harvey Dewayne “Brady” Flockerzi and Viola Marie Stahl Flockerzi.
He was a 1957 graduate of Cranberry High School.
Mr. Flockerzi began his working career with the Singer Sewing Machine Company in 1959; as a salesman. He quickly became a manager with the company, eventually working his way up to ownership. In 1983, he opened the Oil City Sewing Company, located first along Center Street and then moving to its longtime location on Seneca Street. In 1987, he opened a second store in the Cranberry Mall. He remained an active owner, along with his wife until his death.
Mr. Flockerzi was an active and faithful member of The Grace United Methodist Church of Oil City. He also participated as a member of many area church Bible Study groups.
Paramount in his life was helping those less fortunate. He looked forward with great enthusiasm to the many mission trips he took with the members of his church family of The Grace United Methodist Church and immediate family members; to lead vocational training in the use of the Singer sewing machine and offering ladies sewing workshops.
His trips included Alaska and New Orleans (following the Hurricane Katrina aftermath). Especially close to his heart were the people of the Dominican Republic. Throughout the years, he donated hundreds of machines to those in the Dominican Republic as well as Jamaica.
He made many lifelong friends within the local Amish communities, servicing their non-mechanical machines and giving pointers in sewing.
He was a member for more than 50 years of The Rotary Club of Oil City. He enjoyed the fun times he shared with his “coffee buddies” of the AM Walkers at the Cranberry Mall, The Log Cabin Restaurant of Seneca and Spilling the Beans Café in Oil City.
He was married October 26, 1957 to the former: Sara J. Williams; who survives.
In addition to his beloved wife of 56 years, he is survived by his children: Sue Clarke and her husband Danny of Seneca, Bill Flockerzi and his wife Sarah of Oakland Township and Gene Flockerzi and his wife Kathy of Cranberry Township, Butler County. Also surviving are his grandchildren of whom he was most proud: Liz Hedrick and her husband Chris, Katie Welms and her husband Dan, Jared Rice and his fiancé Erica Piet, Caleb Rice, Josh Flockerzi, Ben Rice, Danielle Rice, Aaron Fox, Joe Fox and his wife Kelly, Sara Flockerzi and Nicholas Flockerzi; in addition to 11 great-grandchildren; and his faithful companion, his miniature dachshund, “Schotzie”.
Also surviving are three sisters: Marlyn Caldwell and her husband Jack of Seneca, Dorothy Woods and her husband Bob of Franklin and Virginia Wensel of Venus; in addition to many loving nieces, nephews, extended family members and friends.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother: Howard Flockerzi, his beloved nephew: Austin Schiffer and by his father-in-law and mother-in-law: Eugene and Sara Williams.
Friends may call Friday 4-7 PM in the Timothy E. Hartle Funeral Home, 1328 Elk Street, Franklin.
Family and friends may also call Saturday 10-11 AM in the Grace United Methodist Church, 100 Central Avenue, Oil City where funeral services will be conducted Saturday at 11 AM with Reverend Byron Myers, pastor officiating.
Private family interment will be in Dempseytown Lutheran Cemetery.
Memorial contributions, if desired, may be directed in his name to: The Grace United Methodist Church of Oil City “Hope for Hispaniola” Fund.
Please visit: www.hartlefuneralhome.com for further information and to leave a note of condolence.
