George Andrew Riess, Jr.

George Andrew Riess, Jr, age 89 of Carmichaels, Pa. died Tuesday, December 8, 2020 in his home following a lengthy illness.  He was born December 6, 1931 in Natrona Heights, Pa. A son of the late George Andrew and Alma Pauline (Thiele) Riess, Sr.  Mr. Riess was a graduate of Har-Brack High School in Natrona Heights, where he worked cutting grass for people and had a paper route for the Allegheny Valley Newspaper.  He was a veteran of the Korea War having served in the US Navy from 1952 to 1956.  Upon his return home, he started working for West Penn at their Springdale Power Plant and moved to Carmichaels in 1969 to work at the former Hatfield Power Plant in the coal department, running heavy equipment and tow boats, until his retirement in 1996.  Needing something to do in his “spare time” he faithfully volunteered with “Meals on Wheels” from 1996 till 2020 as well as volunteering at the Salvation Army and the local food banks.  Mr. Riess was a longtime member of the St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Carmichaels where he would help with anything that needed done.  On April 8, 1972 he married Wilma Eileen (Johnston) who died March 12, 2012.

Surviving are two sons; George A. Riess, III (Bobby) of Melrose, Fla. and C. Wade Riess (Kelly) of Roscoe, Pa.; two daughters, Beth Ann Higginbotham (Keith) of Spraggs, Pa. and Donna Ratulowski of Camp Hill, Pa. and Also surviving are several grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

Deceased in addition to his parents and wife are a daughter Deborah Fox; a son Gary E. Fox; sisters, Betty Jane Bollinger and Peggy Shaffer and brothers Lewis and John Riess.

The family would like to extend a heartfelt “Thank you” to Amedisys Hospice, Jackie Workman and staff for their support and care they provided to them during this difficult time.

The family suggests memorial donations to: Amedisys Hospice, 2181 McClellantown Rd., Masontown, Pa. 15461.

A private Celebration of Life service will be held at a later date and the Yoskovich Funeral Home, Carmichaels, Pa. are in charge of the services.