George R. Lilja

George Lilja, 92, of Woodstock, Ill., passed away at Journey Care in Barrington, Ill., on March 18, 2021. He was born Jan. 18, 1929, to Oscar and Alice (Marvin) Lilja in Woodstock. On Oct. 17, 1953, he married Marilyn Nelson at the First United Methodist Church in Woodstock. He is survived by his wife, Marilyn; his son, Scott (Doreen) Lilja; two granddaughters, Rhiannon Lilja and Tyler (Jamie) Cassidy; one grandson, Christopher (Rebecca) Lilja; one stepgrandson, Dustin Church; five great-grandchildren, Savannah and Sienna Lilja, Noah and Hadleigh Cassidy, and Leah Church; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; son Steven Lilja; two brothers, Lester and LaVern; and a sister, Dolores Lilja. George was a mechanic at heart and enjoyed helping out his friends whenever he could, and he loved to kid and joke around. He worked at Reichert’s garage in Crystal Lake and the Dean Foods garage in Huntley, and retired from there. He then went back to work driving a transport bus and being an aide for Family Alliance in Woodstock for several more years. Viewing will be 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Saturday, March 27, at Cardinal Funeral Home in Crystal Lake. Burial will follow with a graveside service at McHenry County Memorial Park.