ELKHART -- George F. Edsall, 72, of Elkhart, lost his battle with cancer on Tuesday, Nov. 9, 2010, at Greenleaf Health campus in Elkhart.

He was born in Goshen on Aug. 4, 1938, to James I. and Dorothy (Pickavet) Edsall. He married Linda L. Bruner on Oct. 23, 1965, in North Vernon. She survives at home.

Also surviving are a son, James M. (Kina) Edsall of Jackson, Mich.; a daughter, Kathryn A. (Mark) Settle of Elkhart; and grandchildren George A. "Drew" and Jensen R. Edsell, both of Elkhart, Melinda (Anthony) Hudson of Concord, N.C., Stephanie Edsall of Lexington, Ky., and Joshwa Edsall of Michigan Center, Mich. Surviving as well are two great-grandchildren, Ashley and DJ Hudson of Concord.

He is preceded in death by his parents, an infant brother, and several aunts and uncles.

George was a 1956 graduate of Goshen High School. He worked in the grocery and RV business until he became an engineer and a railroad foreman for Conrail, working in Toledo, Ohio, Jackson, Mich., and Elkhart for more than 35 years, retiring in 1994. He went on to work for the Indiana Harbor Belt Railroad in Hammond until 2000 and then on to Bayer Healthcare and Adecco Temporary Agency until 2009.

He was an avid car enthusiast and was a member of Hart City Street Rods and the National Street Rod Association and was a past member of the Michiana Classic Chevy Club. He enjoyed showing his 1961 Ford Galaxie and his 1948 Chevy sedan. Other interests included golf, gardening, and spending time with his family and his two dogs, Muffy and Katy. He will be remembered as a great father, grandfather, husband and friend and will be missed by those who knew and loved him.

There will be no immediate visitation or viewing. His remains have been donated to the University of Michigan Medical School, where he will assist with the research of optic melanoma. A celebration of George's life will take place at a later time . Billings Funeral Home, 812 Baldwin St., Elkhart, is assisting the family with arrangements.

The family gratefully acknowledges the Goshen Center for Cancer Care, the M. D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas, and the University of Michigan Cancer Center for the outstanding care he received.

Memorial donations may go to the Goshen Center for Cancer Care or to United Cancer Services of Elkhart County.

ELKHART -- The family of George F. Edsall, 72, who passed away in Elkhart on Nov. 9, 2010, is hosting a gathering of friends and family at California Road Missionary Church, Elkhart, on Saturday, Dec. 11, from noon to 4 p.m. to celebrate George's life.

Billings Funeral Home of Elkhart assisted with arrangements.