George Deneen Lybarger (82) of Effingham

George Deneen Lybarger, 82, of Effingham, IL, formerly of Mason/Edgewood passed on to his eternal home on Sunday, November 5th, 2023 surrounded by his wife Loretta and 3 children, Terrie, Dena and Andy.

Funeral service for George will be at 12:00 p.m. Saturday, November 11, 2023 at Pagel Funeral Homes in Edgewood, with a one-hour viewing prior to the service. Burial will take place at Edgewood Cemetery with Military Rites observed. Masonic Rites service will be held at 3:30 p.m. Friday, November 10, 2023 with visitation to follow from 4 to 7 pm at Pagel Funeral Homes in Edgewood. Memorial contributions may be made to St Jude Children’s Hospital or the Shriners Hospital for Children. Online condolences may be expressed by clicking here.

George was born in rural Edgewood, Illinois on October 15th, 1941 to Olen and Grace (Warner) Lybarger. George graduated from Effingham High School in 1959 and began his career in the U.S. Navy the following month at the Recruit Training Command Great Lakes Naval Station in Great Lakes, IL. His U.S. Navy career spanned over 20 years from his 1st duty station in Green Cove Springs Naval Air Station (1959-1962). He was then stationed on the USS Wright Saipan-class Aircraft Carrier (1967-1970) and the Naval Air Force Atlantic Fleet (1970-1971) out of Norfolk, VA. Following his time at sea George then was stationed at the Air Transportable Communication Unit Four in Diego Garcia(1971-1972), U.S. Naval Communication Station in Morocco Africa, (1972-1976), to retiring from his final station of duty at the Naval Air Station Whiting Field in Milton Florida. (1976-1979). After retiring from the Navy George continued working in the civilian world at Yellow Freight, Best Homes, Sherwin Williams, the Oil Field, and as a heavy construction laborer.

George won the heart of his best friend and love of his life, Loretta Webster, (who survives at their home), during the summer of 1959. They were excited to start a life together and were married on June 3rd, 1961 at the Edgewood Methodist Church in Edgewood, IL. George and Letty lovingly started a family of their own who became the legacy he was most proud of: Terrie (Keith) Coles of Eldon, MO, Dena Traub and Andy (Kathy) Lybarger all of Effingham, IL. As much love and pride as George had in his children, he loved his role as grandpa and great-grandpa and treasured his time with his grandkids, Matthew (Brandi) Frey of Eldon, MO, Mark (Michelle) Frey of Jefferson City, MO, Kelsey (Joe) Herman of Eldon, MO, Shaena (Andrew) Wilder of St. Louis, MO, Kade (Hope) Frey of Higbee, MO, Austin (Hannah) Traub of Hubert, NC, Lucas (Kathleen) Frey of Henley, MO, Katelyn, Grace and A.J Lybarger all of Effingham, IL; great-grandchildren, Emma, Cooper, Eli, MaKenna, Ethan, Nolan, Ella, Olen and Cordell Frey all of Missouri and Marlow Traub of Hubert, NC. George is also survived by brothers, Robert (Vicky) Ingram, and Charles “Chuck” Ingram, (Marie) as well as a brother in law Ray Tilley.

George loved living on his little piece of heaven with Loretta in rural Mason and enjoyed spending time with their horses and dogs, Lobo and Suzie. He and Loretta also enjoyed traveling, camping, mushroom hunting, and the Edgewood Opry. He was a lifelong member of the DAV, American Legion, (past post commander), 40&8, (past Chef de Gare), VFW, Masonic Lodge 484, Fleet Reserve and Shriners.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a granddaughter, Meghan Frey; infant great-grandson, Gabriel Herman; siblings, Gene (Ramona) Ingram, Louise (Jim) Shook, Phyllis (Don) Branum, and Helen Tilley.