Well-known builder in DuPage suburbs

The vision of George T. Anonich can be seen throughout western DuPage County, between the many homes, buildings and additions his company designed.

But what people may not know is that Mr. Anonich was self-taught.

"When he decided to become a builder, he literally sat down and started reading books on the subject," says his wife of 20 years, Karen Loan Anonich. "He was very much self-taught."

Now family members and colleagues are mourning his passing. Mr. Anonich, a 35-year Winfield resident who lived his last 25 years in Wheaton, died Tuesday. He was 87.

Mr. Anonich was born in the small north-central Wisconsin town of Montreal, and served in the Army Air Corps as a B-24 bomber pilot during World War II, in the Pacific Theatre.

Mr. Anonich's road to becoming a well-known builder took an unusual route. After he left the service, he turned down an offer to fly for United Airlines, instead running a series of Fred Astaire Dance Studios.

For a brief time, he managed the Battle Creek Country Club in Michigan, before accepting an offer to manage the Chicago Golf Club in Wheaton -- the oldest 18-hole golf course in North America -- which ultimately brought him to the Western suburbs.

After three years of managing the club's food and beverage operations as well as its staff, Mr. Anonich decided to change careers and become a contractor.

He moved into the first home he built on Grant Street in Winfield, and wound up building all the homes on that street. Before long, his company, Winfield Builders, would design several three-story buildings in Wheaton, and additions to existing facilities.

"He was a residential and commercial builder who paid close attention to detail and did quality work," says Bill Davis, former president of Hawthorne Bank of Wheaton. "That's why we chose him to do our addition."

Mr. Anonich retired in 1985, leaving him more time to devote to such passions as golfing and deer hunting. At Arrowhead Golf Club in Wheaton, he played in the same golf league for 45 years and was a senior member of the club.

Besides his wife, Mr. Anonich is survived by his stepchildren, R. Christopher (Jane) Loan, Thomas (Ada) Loan, Stephen (Elizabeth) Loan and Matthew (Jennifer) Loan; his grandchildren, Shannon and Samuel Loan, Nicholas, Brent and Zachary Fleishhauer, and Samantha and Olivia Loan; and his siblings, Sophie (the late William) Horvat and Helen, Matthew (Florence), William (dear friend, Marlene) and James (Helen) Anonich.

Visitation will begin at 10 a.m. Saturday, before an 11 a.m. funeral service at Williams-Kampp Funeral Home, 430 E. Roosevelt Road in Wheaton.