George Michael Churley

George Michael Churley, 77, of Lincoln, passed away peacefully at home in hospice care on July 18, 2024, with his wife of 55 years JoAnn by his side. He was diagnosed with Stage IV esophageal cancer in May 2024. George was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, family member and friend known for his wit, intellect, and unwavering devotion to his loved ones.

George Michael Churley was born to George and Mildred Elizabeth (Lilly) Churley in 1946 in Jamaica, NY. He enjoyed his early childhood growing up surrounded by extended family in Richmond Hill and Maspeth, NY. Later his family moved to Mentor, OH, where he graduated high school in 1964. He continued his education at Concordia Lutheran Junior College in Ann Arbor, MI, where he met his future wife. Together they attended Concordia Teachers College in Seward, NE, where George earned his bachelor’s degree in Secondary Education with a Theology major and Drama minor, influenced greatly by Wm. G. (Bill) Roundey. George and Jo married following their college graduation in 1969. The first of George’s thirteen written works was published before he received his master’s degree in Theatre Arts in 1971 from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

George began his professional career teaching drama at Concordia Teachers College in Seward, NE, before founding The George Churley Puppet Company in 1973. He began touring with colleague and close friend, Dr. Alan (Butch) Nielsen, to bring educational residencies and performances to schools nationwide. Conducting 42 week-long residencies in Nebraska through the National Endowment for the Arts’ Artists In Schools program and presenting over 700 live performances in 16 states as an approved performance artist by the Mid-America Arts Alliance and the Nebraska Arts Council, George was the top-rated NAC artist for six years. He conducted professional workshops on state, regional and national levels and served on the guest faculty for the 1975 Educational Arts Association National Conference. George was chosen to serve on a panel of professional artists and arts administrators from five states for The Mid-America Assembly On The Future of the Performing Arts (1979) to evaluate the effects of federal and state funding on regional arts organizations and to make recommendations to the U.S. Congress for future programs.

On a more local level, George led training sessions in basic dramatic techniques and puppeteering skills for the original Lincoln Public Schools personnel who presented The Kids On The Block program (1980). He also developed joint productions with the Lincoln Public Schools Youth Symphony, The Nebraska Chamber Orchestra, and the Hastings Civic Symphony. His collaboration with the latter included a production of Peter and the Wolf which was later broadcast on KOLN/KGIN as a television special.

George continued to strengthen ties with Nebraska schools during his work from 1975 to 1980 as a writer, director, and puppeteer on live broadcasts from local television station KOLN/KGIN. With the cooperation of more than 40 Nebraska schools, he developed and produced a game show segment for 4th, 5th and 6th grade students titled Little Reggie’s Quiz Kids. This segment was chosen by the National Television Information Office as one of five examples of excellence in local children’s programming and was featured in the national special, Television in America: Children, Television and Change, narrated by Hugh Downs. In 1982 George channeled his creative energy into starting an advertising agency and retired in 2006 as President, AdEdge Inc.

In retirement, he continued his commitment to community theatre by acting and directing at a variety of venues as he had throughout his adult life. In 2018 he was honored alongside other Lincoln Community Playhouse Legends. A secular humanist, George was deeply committed to his beliefs and values. He discussed science, logic, and reasoning with an open mind and encouraged others to think freely. He unreservedly cared for his aging parents and devoted time to his wife, children, and four grandchildren of whom he was so proud.

He is survived by his wife JoAnn; children Rebecca (Jason) Christenson of Lincoln and Benjamin (Becky) Churley of Madison, WI; his four grandchildren, Jack, Norah, and George Henry Christenson of Nebraska and Navarre Churley of Wisconsin; his sister, Susan (Doug) Meilander of Baltimore, MD; many nieces, nephews, cousins, and close friends. Preceding him in death were his parents George and Mildred Churley.

A Celebration of Life Open House will be held on Saturday, August 24, from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., in the Gilmore Conference Room at the Nebraska History Museum, 131 Centennial Mall North, Lincoln, NE. Private Family Inurnment at Yankee Hill Cemetery at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorials were suggested to: Lincoln Community Playhouse; Freedom From Religion Foundation; American Civil Liberties Union.

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