George Seketa

Tuesday, March 4, 2008

George Seketa, 76, Greencastle, died Wednes­day at Putnam County Hospital.

Born in Benld, Ill., he was the son of Joseph and Margaret (Arlesic) Seketa. He married Delores "Dee" Hughes in 1957 and they have been married for 50 years. She survives.

A 1950 graduate of Benld High School, he served in the U.S. Navy from 1951-55 and in 1962 earned a bachelor's degree in biology from Southern Illinois University.

The Seketas moved to Indiana in 1963, and George became the manager of Glendale Fish and Wildlife area near Washington, Ind. The family moved to Greencastle in 1971 after George was appointed Chief of Properties of the Division of Fish and Wildlife for the Indiana Department of Natural Resources where he was employed for 33 years. In 1996, he was awarded the Professional Excellence Award for his work with the Grand Kankakee Marsh Restoration Project.

He was known widely for his work with many conservation organizations throughout the state and, in addition to helping establish local chapters of Ducks Unlimited and the National Wild Turkey Federation, he served as president of the local Quail Unlim­ited chapter, president of the state organization, and as a member the National Board of Trustees of Quail Unlimited.

Additional survivors include three sons, Steven Seketa and wife Carol, Greencastle, Gregory Seketa and wife and Karen, Carmel, and Mark Seketa and fiancée Stephanie Wheeler, Edwardsville, Ill.; six grandchildren and a great-granddaughter; brothers Joseph Jr., James, and Philip Seketa and sisters Mary Vojas, Dorothy Sies, and Frances "Bibby" Seketa, all of Illinois.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Paul, Barney "Steve", Peter, and Matthew, and sisters Helen Marlot, Barbara Seketa, and Phyllis Seketa.

A celebration of life will be conducted from 2-5 p.m. Saturday at the Walden Inn.

Memorials may be made to Quail Unlimited in care of the West Central Indiana Chapter, P.O. Box 487, Greencastle, 46135 or to The Nature Conservancy, 1505 N. Delaware St., Suite 200, Indianapolis, 46202.