Final Salute

George H. Nisbet was born August 10, 1926, in Roberts, Illinois, to William Wood and Marie Ruth (Ryan) Nisbet.
George was preceded in death by his loving wife of 65 years, Clotilda  Elise (Dryden) Nisbet, their son Michael William Nisbet, George’s  parents, his sister, Mary Ellen and her husband Bob Gumbel, his  brother John W. “Jack” Nisbet, his sister Carolyn and her husband Jack  Brown, and his brother William W. “Bill” Nisbet.

Surviving George are his six children: son Richard Alan “Rick” Nisbet  and his wife, Lori; daughter Janet Marie Sibenaller and her husband, Mike; son George Robert Nisbet; daughter Virginia Marie “Ginny”  Savage and her husband, Scott; daughter Angela Marie “Angie” Schilly and her husband, Tom; and son Patrick Joseph “Pat” Nisbet and his  wife, Lisa; 17 grandchildren: Matthew and Nicolas Nisbet; Philip Sibenaller and his wife, Taylor;  Nicholas Sibenaller; Kate Schiller and  her husband, Josiah; Greg Sibenaller and his wife, Beth; Beth  Sibenaller; Rick Savage and his wife, Lacy; Kristen Harris and her  husband, Jonathan; Kelci Piskulich and her husband, Zeke; Tyler  Schilly; Haley Schilly; Colin Schilly; Caleb Schilly; Allison Nisbet; Joe Nisbet; and Dan Nisbet. In addition, George leaves 10 great-grandchildren: Alaina, Charli, Kinley, Emery, Will, Jo, and Dominic Sibenaller; and Michael Sibenaller; Gregory Harris and Russell Savage; eight sisters-in-law: Illa Mae Nisbet, Mary Nisbet, Sister Frances Dryden, OP, Sister Constance Dryden, RSCJ, Carmelite (Dryden) Anderson and her husband, Rod, Anne Dryden, Rosemary Dryden and Maryanna Dryden.

George earned spending money as a young paperboy, delivering newspapers from his bike in Tuscola, Illinois. At 15, he joined the Terminal Railroad of St. Louis, and worked there 47 years. George enlisted and served proudly with the United States Navy during World War II. He assisted the SeaBees in the Philippines and returned home. George remained in the Navy Reserves and was called up to serve during the Korean War (Conflict.) He served on the Shore Patrol in Philadelphia and Baltimore. In addition, he held several secondary jobs to support his family as a bus driver or a delivery driver, and also worked for ManPower teaching adults English and math, and demonstrating his job as a railroad towerman. In 1988, George retired from the Terminal Railroad.

When his children were young, George assisted with the Boy Scout Troop and baseball teams at St. Rita Parish School in Vinita Park, St. Louis County. He taught his children how to ride bikes, how to play ball, and how to drive. George and Cloe enjoyed camping across The United States, and the annual camping trip to Sam A. Baker State Park was always a favorite time for the family, even if sometimes it could be only for a weekend.
George and Cloe were able to fulfill their dreams of moving to a farm and owning a few horses in 1994. They found a beautiful place outside Cuba, Missouri and built their house. They enjoyed their life there immensely and were even happier when their kids and grandkids visited. George had a train made out of oil drums and used his riding lawnmower to take the grandchildren on rides around the farm. Feeding apples to the horses was also a favorite way for the children to spend time with Grandpa. George did everything he could to provide fun activities when the children visited. George served the St. Rita, Vinita Park, and Holy Cross, Cuba, Catholic parishes as an usher, among the many ways he assisted. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus, provided his train for festivals at Holy Cross, and delivered meals to shut-ins for Meals on Wheels.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Alzheimer’s Association, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, or the Cuba, Missouri Public Library.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, March 19, 2025, from 4-7 p.m. at Ortmann Funeral Home 9222 Lackland Rd. St. Louis, Missouri 63114.

Funeral Mass will be held on Thursday, March 20, 2025, 10:00 a.m. at St. Rita Catholic Church 8240 Washington St. St. Louis, Missouri 63114 with Msgr. Mike Turek as the celebrant.

Interment with military honors will follow at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, St. Louis, Missouri.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Alzheimer’s Association, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, or the Cuba, Missouri Public Library.

The Mizell Funeral Home of Cuba is honored to be serving the family of George H. Nisbet.