George Horna

GEORGE J. HORNA, age 71, of Elburn, passed away unexpectedly on August 28, 2015. George was a man of faith and is now reunited not only with his Savior, but his loving wife Barbara who has waited patiently for their heavenly reunion.

George was born on June 6, 1944 in Chicago, IL, the son of William and Margaret (Gurnik) Horna. He grew up in Lisle, IL, and attended local schools. George graduated with the class of 1962 from St. Procopius High School where he was a member of the National Honor Society. While attending he helped pay his way by working alongside his grandfather doing janitorial work in Cicero. George moved to Sparta where he worked at a radio station as a broadcaster. He moved back to Lisle for a time and applied for a civil service job, eventually landing a job in Elmhurst as a window clerk at the local Post Office, though he made North Aurora, IL, his home.

When he wasn’t working, George tried his hand at square dancing where he met Virginia Wood. He swept her off her feet and later walked her down the aisle in the mid 1970’s. He would lose her to breast cancer in 1982, but fate smiled upon George one more time when he met Barbara Majerus and they were united in marriage on April 12, 1986.

They began their new life together in Elburn where they built a new house that together they made a home. Tragedy struck again when George lost Barbara in 2006. He found the strength to carry on, finding support amongst the community that he called home. After 30 years with the Post Office, George sorted his last piece of mail and retired to follow his passion photographing trains throughout the U.S. and Canada.

George and Virginia were former members of the Bachelor/Bachelorette Square Dancing Club in Batavia.. George and Barbara were faithful members of St. Gall Catholic Church where George served as a greeter, rolling out the welcome mat to all who came to worship. He also was a reader, sharing that days verses from the Bible and was heavily involved along with Barbara in Marriage Encounter, attending several conventions that brought married couples together in prayer and to hear national speakers. Following Barbara’s passing, George shared his faith while performing untold number of 30 day Novena’s where he attended church each day for thirty straight days. In times when a mass wasn’t available at St. Gall’s, George travelled to St. Peter’s in Geneva, in order to pray without ceasing, helping to release those souls of family, friends and strangers alike, from the confines of purgatory.

George’s passion for trains helped him eclipse 100,000 miles in the first two years of his new car following the big beautiful behemoths across the United States, including, Nebraska, North and South Dakota, Louisiana, New York, California and even up to Canada and more. His encyclopedic knowledge was astounding and led to the printing of many of his pictures in various highly regarded publications. Other folks who shared his passion opened their hearts and homes, offering a place to stay while traveling, but more importantly sharing slides of their favorite finds. In these travels, Barbara dutifully followed her husband, but also was never shy to add her two cents, whether George liked it or not! Sometimes they would take trains themselves, settling into the comfort of Pullman Cars as they watched to miles fly by. Hundreds of trains found their way into his viewfinder, but none were as beautiful as the woman who made his life complete. He is now able to be reunited with all those who he loved and lost but leaves thousands of memories and many more friends that will never forget him.

He is survived by four siblings: Rosemary (Chuck) Glickley, Patrick Horna, Michael Horna and Richard (Mary Jean) Horna; Three nieces and nephews: Brian Glickley, Kevin Glickley and Lisa Horna; Three great nieces and nephews: Gavin, Kayleigh and Parker Glickley, one step-nephew, Tom Johnson and one step-great-niece Abigail Johnson and a family and friends.

He is preceded in death by his loving wife Barbara, his first wife Virginia, and his parents, Margaret and William Horna;

Visitation will be Thursday, September 3, 2015, from 4-8 p.m. at Conley Funeral Home, 116 W. Pierce St. Elburn, IL 60119. A mass to celebrate his faith will be Friday, September 4 at 11 a.m., at St. Gall Catholic Church, Elburn, with a time of visitation from 10-10:45 a.m. also at the church. Private family interment will follow cremation at a later date.
A memorial has been established in George’s name to benefit his favorite charities. Checks may be made to the “George Horna Memorial” and mailed in care to P.O. Box 66 Elburn, IL 60119.

A mass to celebrate his faith will be Friday, September 4 at 11 a.m., at St. Gall Catholic Church, Elburn, with a time of visitation from 10-10:45 a.m. also at the church.

Visitation will be Thursday, September 3, 2015, from 4-8 p.m. at Conley Funeral Home, 116 W. Pierce St. Elburn, IL 60119.

Private family interment will follow cremation at a later date.