George R. Nisius, age 59, of 50 Spring Lane, Tiffin, Ohio died after a 10 month valiant battle against cancer, on April 21, 2002. George died at 12:50 P.M. at the Ruffing Family Care Center, Tiffin, Ohio surrounded by his family. He had resided there for 6 months.
Mr. Nisius was born on October 3, 1942 in Cleveland, Ohio to Dr. George F. Nisius and Ruth (Boetticher) Kennedy. His father survives in Duluth, Minnesota. He married Phyllis Dundovich on February 22, 1969 in Hibbing, Minnesota and she survives in Tiffin, Ohio.
Also surviving are 2 sons, Gregory Nisius of San Diego, California and Jeffrey Nisius of Tiffin; 1 brother, Kirk (Joanne) Kennedy of Brook Park, Ohio; a father-in-law John Dundovich of Keewatin, Minnesota; 4 sisters-in-law; 2 brothers-in-law. 8 nieces, 1 nephew, and a great nephew also survive and who all loved their Uncle George.
He is preceded in death by his mother, Ruth Kennedy; stepfather, Alexander Kennedy; stepmother, Joan Nisius; and mother-in-law, Julia Dundovich.
Mr. Nisius graduated from John Marshall High School, Cleveland, Ohio. He earned a Degree in Sociology from University of Minnesota-Duluth, and a Masters Degree in Employment Counseling from St. Cloud State College, St. Cloud, Minnesota.
He had served in the National Guard as a Sergeant in the Medic and Armored Divisions.
Mr. Nisius had been employed at the Betty Jane Center in Tiffin, Ohio since 1990, and had been serving as Executive Vice President and C.O.O. for the past five years. He was previously employed for 18 years with C.A.R.F. in Chicago, Illinois and Tucson, Arizona. He also worked as a counselor for two years at a Sheltered Workshop in St. Cloud, Minnesota and five years for the Minnesota Employment Service.
Mr. Nisius was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, Tiffin; and the Eagles Aerie #402.
He served on many local and state boards and committees and was the past secretary of the Ohio Association of Rehabilitation Facilities. He had been chairman of C.O.R.E. for many years, which accredited the Master Degree program for rehabilitation counseling for universities and colleges in the North Central Region of the United States.
His passion was Barbershop singing. He was a 31 year member of S.P.E.B.S.Q.S.A. and currently was a member of the Singing Buckeyes in Columbus, Ohio. He enjoyed golf and had coached Little League through Pony League teams for 14 years in Tucson and Tiffin.
Visitation will be on Tuesday, April 23, 2002 from 6-9 P.M. at Hannay-Traunero Funeral Home, 214 S. Monroe Street, Tiffin, Ohio 419-447-3113.
A Memorial Mass will be held at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Tiffin, Ohio, Wednesday, April 24, 2002 at 11:00 A.M. The body has been cremated.
Burial will take place in Hibbing, Minnesota.
Donations may be made to F.A.C.T.; Community Cares c/o Tiffin United Way; Community Hospice Care; or the Betty Jane Memorial Rehabilitation Center all in care of Hannay-Traunero Funeral Home.