George T. Unsworth, 87 of Viola, died Saturday, November 26, 2022, at Clarissa C. Cook Hospice House, Bettendorf. Funeral services will be 11 a.m., Thursday, December 1, at Speer Funeral Home, Aledo, with visitation one hour prior to services. The family has requested that masks be worn to attend services. Burial will be in Sugar Grove Cemetery, Aledo, Illinois. Memorials may be made to the Viola United Presbyterian Church or the Viola Fire Department. Services will be livestreamed on the Speer Funeral Home Facebook page.
George was born on March 14, 1935, in Aledo, to Thomas Mackey and Alice Perlina (McGaughy) Unsworth. He was previously married to Audrey King. George and Evelyn Newswander were married on September 12, 1986. She preceded him in death on June 17, 2005. He married Dorothy (Swank Palmer) on October 7, 2006.
George was a retired farmer, but in his younger years had worked for Miller Container and at the Shale City Brickyard. He also drove Ambulance for Reiser Funeral Home. In his spare time, George loved to work out in the timber and was very musically talented playing the accordion, harmonica, guitar, and organ. He loved all his grandchildren and was thrilled when he was able to hold the last two great-grandchildren, Evelyn and Oliver.
George is survived by his wife, Dorothy; children: Thomas and Priscilla Unsworth of Casa Grande, Arizona, William and Diane Unsworth of Viola, and Carolyn and Tim Enright of Buffalo Prairie; stepchildren: Robert and Carrie Rind and Cynthia Smith, all of Davenport, Douglas and Alicia Woolam of Rock Island, Jack and Chris Palmer of Milan, and Joseph and Kathy Palmer of Davenport; son-in-law, Scott Jones of Colona; and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by daughters, Melody Duverney and Alicia Jones, and his second wife, Evelyn.