ST. PAUL -- George L. "Sonny" Fager, 84, of St. Paul, a lifelong resident of Neosho County, died at 2:15 p.m. Tuesday, March 10, 2009, at Prairie Mission Retirement Village. He had been in failing health.

He was born Oct. 28, 1924, in Walnut to Henry and Genevieve (Crager) Fager. He grew up and attended schools in Walnut and St. Paul. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II and the Korean War.

In the early 1970s, he was employed by Beachner Construction and in the late 1970s went to work as an equipment operator for Neosho County.

He enjoyed horseback riding and loved children. He especially enjoyed spending time with his nieces and nephews and their families. He was a member of St. Francis Catholic Church in St. Paul, was a third degree and honorary life member of the Knights of Columbus and the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

Survivors include a brother, Joe Fager of San Jose, Calif.; four sisters, Agnes VanMiddlesworth of Parsons, Betty Duling of St. Paul, Rita Ross of Houston and Barb Whitworth of Temecula, Calif.; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by six brothers and two sisters.

The funeral Mass will be at 10 a.m. Friday at St. Francis Catholic Church in St. Paul. Burial will be in St. Francis Cemetery. The rosary will be recited at 7 p.m. today at the church. The family will receive friends immediately following the rosary. Friends may call at the church after 11 a.m. today.

Memorials are suggested to St. Francis Catholic Church and may be left at or mailed to Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home, P.O. Box 374, Parsons, 67357.