George Michael Ahrens

George Michael Ahrens died on the evening of August 16, 2025. He was born on October 6, 1933 to George Walter and Ruth Wielandt Ahrens.

He attended New Rochelle High School and Yale University, class of 1955. Upon graduating from college, he served in the Army at Ford Ord in Monterey, California. While stationed there, he had a chance encounter with a young lady, Alice Holman. She was working as a waitress at the Carmel Valley Inn during her summer break from college. Sparks flew and the two soon became a couple, marrying the next summer in July of 1958.

George and Alice relocated to the suburbs of Philadelphia when George returned to working at Bell Telephone Company where he remained for his career.

George had a lifetime love of learning which he passed on to many family members. He had an uncanny ability to remember most everything he learned, whether it be History, a foreign language, Science, or Literature. He and Alice had a tremendous love of travel and through the course of their lives saw many countries around the globe.

George and Alice moved to Asheville to live at Deerfield in 2016. There they made many wonderful friends and George especially enjoyed working at the reception desk in Haden Hall. George and Alice attended Trinity Episcopal Church in downtown Asheville where George enjoyed being a reader during the church service. Though his body became feeble, once he got to the lectern his booming voice brought him some notoriety in the church!

George was preceded in death by his parents George and Ruth, his stepfather Rem, and George and Alice’s daughter Catherine Ahrens Shomaker who died in 2003.

Survivors include his wife of 67 years, Alice Holman Ahrens, daughter Susan A Covington and her husband Jeff, five grandchildren: Michael Shomaker (Jessica), Brian Shomaker (Beth), Catie Shomaker (Matt), Thomas Covington (Jasmine), and Remson Covington. Also surviving are two great grandchildren – Natalie and Graham Shomaker.

The family would like to express their gratitude for the nurses and medical staff in Deerfield’s Skilled Nursing unit of whom George grew so fond.

A Memorial Service will be held at 2:00 PM on Thursday, August 28, 2025 at Trinity Episcopal Church, 60 Church Street, Asheville NC. Interment will take place at a later date at Rose Hill Cemetery in Fayetteville, TN.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Deerfield Charitable Foundation 1617 Hendersonville Road Asheville NC 28803 or to a charity of ones choosing.

Groce Funeral Home at Lake Julian is assisting the family.