By Nicole Hamilton
Enquirer staff writer

READING - George H. Wietmarschen worked as many as three jobs at a time to support his 12 children. But when he retired in 1976, he didn't spend much time resting.

Instead, he founded Troop 25, a Boy Scout group for mentally and physically disabled young men, at the request of his youngest son, Steven, who has Down syndrome.

Mr. Wietmarschen died Friday at Brookwood Retirement Community in Sharonville of congestive heart failure.

The longtime Reading resident was 90.

His Troop 25, sponsored by the Hamilton County Department of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities, proved to be an excellent outlet for those with disabilities. It provided a way for his son - then 29 - to interact with others like him and do more activities outdoors.

At the age of 82, facing his own health issues, Mr. Wietmarschen retired from Troop 25. But the group continued. Now called Explorer Troop 2025, it has added young women to its membership.

"He was an absolutely super person," said his son, George A. Wietmarschen of Sharonville.

"He was very supportive of his children. Even though his had little education, he took great pride in seeing his children graduate from high school and college."

Raised in Reading, Mr. Wietmarschen attended Reading High School and left to work in a bakery before owning a delicatessen.

For about 20 years, he worked as a truck driver for General Electricand retired in 1976.

His first wife, Iona Wietmarschen, died in 1944, and his second wife, Norine Wietmarschen, in 2001.

In addition to his son, survivors include four other sons, John Wilking of Milford, Mike G. of Hartwell, Ken of Reading and Steve of Blue Ash; seven daughters, Charlene Van Kamp of Sharonville, Marilyn Kohler of Independence, Ky., Mary Jane Isaacs of Maineville, Phyllis Brinkman of Mount Healthy, Naomi Kump of Beavercreek, Norine Brandstetter of Batavia and Karen Clifton of Milford; a brother, William of Mount Healthy; a sister, Jean Poto of Reading; 29 grandchildren, and 38 great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be from 5-8 p.m. Monday at Schmidt-Dhonau Funeral Home, 8633 Reading Road, Reading.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 10 a.m. Tuesday at Sts. Peter and Paul Church, 330 West Vine Street, Reading.

Burial will be in Sts. Peter and Paul Cemetery in Reading.

Memorials may be made to Sts. Peter and Paul Update Fund, 330 West Vine St., Cincinnati, 45215, or to Explorer Troop 2025, c/o Mike Hernandez, 12180 Chesterdale Rd., Cincinnati, 45246.

E-mail nhamilton@enquirer.com