Obituary of George Munagian

George Munagian, 66, Wisconsin Rapids, died Tuesday, January 17, 2012 at Saint Joseph Hospital, Marshfield. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, January 21 at Taylor, Vollert and Jennings Funeral Home. George?s good friend, Gary Wolfman, will officiate. Friends may call at Taylor Funeral Home in Wisconsin Rapids from 10:00 AM until the time of services. George was born September 13, 1945 in Milwaukee to the late Vartoug and Mariam (Yogurtian) Munagian. He was very proud of the fact that his parents were Armenian immigrants and that he grew up in South Milwaukee. George graduated with a Music Education degree from the University of Wisconsin, Oshkosh and went on to earn his Masters degree from Eastern Illinois University in Music Education. He began teaching in the Wisconsin Rapids School District in 1970. George married Jan Draxler on December 21, 1979 in Wisconsin Rapids and the couple was blessed with the births of two children, Nick and Kate. He was a wonderful family man giving all the support and love he could to his wife and children. George loved teaching and sharing the gift of music with students. He was very respected by both students and peers. Throughout his career and after retiring in 2002, George actively worked with the Wisconsin School Music Association. He also played viola with the Central Wisconsin Symphony Orchestra for many years. In his free time, George enjoyed playing tennis and golf with friends, working on crossword puzzles, playing scrabble and working in his garden. He thoroughly enjoyed music, especially orchestra concerts and operas. George also enjoyed traveling throughout the United States and Europe with his family. He shared his love of reading with Jan and children, and would select a classic every winter to read. Survivors include his beloved wife, Jan; children, Nicholas ?Nick? Munagian of Chicago, IL and Katherine ?Kate? Munagian of Los Angeles, CA; sister, Alice Zwolinski of South Milwaukee, WI; sister-in-law, Irene Munagian of Palatine, IL; and extended family and friends. He was preceded in death by his brother, Nick Munagian and brother-in-law, Euge Zwolinski. In lieu of flowers, a memorial will be established at a later time. George will be missed by many good friends.