George William Pottgen, 81, of Bloomsdale died Jan. 27, 2024, at his home. Mr. Pottgen was a veteran of the U.S. Army 101st Airborne Unit. He was a member of the American Legion, the Festus-Crystal City Elks and Forty and Eight Veterans Organization. After the military, he was a welder with the Local 562 Pipefitter Union. He enjoyed fishing, reading, following politics and coaching Little League baseball and football. He loved watching the St. Louis Blues and St. Louis Cardinals. Born Sept. 12, 1942, in St. Louis, he was the son of the late Helen (Meyer) and George Pottgen.
He is survived by his ex-wife: Mary (Moser) Pottgen of Bloomsdale; four children: Charlene Rasco of St. Louis, Courtney (Billy) Gray of Festus, George Pottgen of Bloomsdale and Danielle Stamm of Festus; two sisters: Nance (the late Ollie) Sutton of St. Louis and Betty (Rick) Burke of St. Louis; and five grandchildren Meadow, Bentley, Kaylie, Ciana and Hayley.
He was preceded in death by a daughter: Kristen Pottgen; and three siblings: Ronnie Pottgen, Albert Pottgen and Joann Reinhardt.
A memorial gathering is scheduled from 5 p.m. until a memorial service at 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 8, at Vinyard Funeral Home, 616 W. Main St., in Festus. Burial with full military honors is scheduled for 10 a.m. Friday, Feb. 9, in the National Cemetery at Jefferson Barracks. Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital. Arrangements are under the direction of Vinyard Funeral Home.