George Edward Collet

George Edward Collet, age 94 of Newark, OH passed away Tuesday May 12, 2026. He was born on January 15, 1932, in Newark, OH to the late Jesse and Elizabeth (Ewald) Collet.

Calling hours will take place on Monday, May 18 at Reed-Egan Funeral Home from 5:00 pm until a 6:30 pm Vigil Service, where we invite friends and family to share memories of George. Funeral Mass will be celebrated Tuesday, May 19, 12 Noon at St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church with Father Anish Thomas as celebrant. George will be laid to rest at Cedar Hill Cemetery with Military Honors.

He graduated from Newark Senior High School in 1950. He was Captain of his high school baseball team and the All-Eleventh Naval District Basketball Team.

George served in the US Navy for 3 years, 4 months and 23 days, which included his service in the Korean conflict. While stationed in San Diego, George attended the Chesterfield Show starring Bob Hope in 1951.

He attended Otterbein College before accepting his position as a State Examiner with the Auditor of State.

All his working life was spent as a civil servant. He was Director of Public Service for the City of Newark, he spent 14 years as a State Examiner under the Auditor of State. He returned to the City of Newark Income Tax Department in 1973 working as City Tax Commissioner, he was Executive Director of the Licking County Easter Seals and during retirement he worked in Property Management. He owned small businesses such as Fund Ways of Central Ohio and The Beer Dock on Union Street. He dedicated many years to Babe Ruth Baseball and The Lions Club.

He loved Big Band Music, boating on Buckeye Lake, Golf and The Houdeshell Golf League (which is still going strong), Baseball, Breakfast with the Boys and Monday Lunch with the Old Farts Club, he was a founding member of the ShoCo Social Club in Newark, driving Santa Claus throughout Licking County prior to enjoying winters in Florida, time with family, friends and grandchildren and an occasional cheeseburger (onion only) and a sweet tea while watching traffic on North 21st Street. One of his greatest passions was Woody Hayes, The Ohio State Buckeyes and TBDBITL.

Survivors include his daughters Cathie Collet and Christy (Dave) Annarino of Newark, OH and Marty (Mark) Dodson of Benton City, WA as well as his niece Karen Kale of Brattleboro, VT/Keene, NH; his grandchildren, Meg (Tim Utsler) Dunfee, Richard (Maggie Von Dolteren) Dunfee, Nicholas Dunfee, Ben Buchholz, Jenny Dunfee, Zoe (Chris) Carson, Christian Annarino, Emily Dodson and Hunter Dodson; and three great-grandchildren, Adam and Evan Dunfee and Leonidas Carson.

George was preceded in death by his parents; his wife Anne Collet; his brothers, Richard and William Kale; and his long time companion of 18 years, Marcia Sims.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to George’s lifelong friend Hank Speaks, the staff at Hearth Brook Senior Living and the many residents, volunteers and staff at the Ohio Veterans Home in Georgetown, OH.