George "Miller" Milonas was a resident of Founders' Grove and a familiar face in Bloomington. He sold popcorn, nuts and candy from a popcorn stand just outside the Castle Theater on Washington Street from 1926 until 1954, when he had a stainless steel and glass enclosure built at the same location, and added ice cream to the menu. He and his wife lived at 303 South Willard Street with their five children. In 1940 they boarded out part of the house to another family.
George came from Zakynthos, Greece to the States in 1911 at age 13 and first lived in St. Louis then Pekin, where he met and married his wife, Adeline Elizabeth Clurer in 1925. He visited Greece just once after coming to the States. As a young man he did travel though, as a member of the U.S. Army during World War I.
George Milonas, 1897 - 1961
George died on January 5, 1961 after spending the day at his popcorn stand. He had worked nearly every day from about 11 am to midnight for 28 years, taking just one vacation to visit his homeland. In his obituary it was noted that he had at one time had a membership at the Y, but since no one at the Y knew his last name, his membership card was made out to "George Popcorn."
His two daughters were married at the time of his death, but his three sons were living at home, as the oldest was just 19 at the time.
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