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Eugene S. Geissler
March 15, 1913 ~ August 5, 2012 (age 99) 99 Years OldShare using:
Eugene “Gene” Geissler, 99, died peacefully at his home in Granger, IN on the morning of August 5, 2012, surrounded by loved ones. He was born at home on a dairy farm near Tilden, WI on March 15, 1913 to Henry and Matilda Geissler, the 6th of 8 children, all of whom have now passed on. He lived a long and faith-filled life. After graduating from McDonell Central Catholic High School in Chippewa Falls, WI, he attended St. John‘s University, MN, where he earned a BA in English in 1935. He continued his education, earning an MA in Educational and Vocational Guidance from the University of Wisconsin in 1937, and an MA, Magna Cum Laude, in Apologetics and English from the University of Notre Dame in 1941. He met his beloved wife Josephine “Jo” Hirsch in 1941 in Jefferson City, MO. They married in 1942 and were soon blessed with Jo’s first pregnancy. Shortly thereafter, Gene was called to serve in the US Army Medical Department in French West Africa. Upon his discharge in 1945, he returned home and met his first-born daughter, Kathleen, in person for the first time. Many more children were to come as they lived out their desire for a large family and the many blessings that it brings. Josephine died in 2007 after 65 years of marriage, though she had always hoped she and “friend husband” might pass away at the same time. Together they had 16 children: Kathleen Geissler (East Lansing, MI), Mary Lanzone (Fremont, CA), Sarah Smylie (South Bend, IN), Sheila Hall (Santa Rosa, CA); Molly Barrett (South Bend, IN), Nora Geissler (South Bend, IN), Peter (Ann) Geissler (Germantown, TN), Teresa Geissler (Tucson, AZ), Eileen (Dennis) Overman (Cerrillos, NM), Michael (Kathy) Geissler (North Liberty, IN), Margaret Geissler (Marina, CA), Agnes Luqmaan (South Bend, IN), Maura (John) Neafsey (Chicago, IL), Mark (Ruth) Geissler (South Bend, IN), and Justin (Krystelle) Geissler (Alabaster, AL). His beloved daughter Annie predeceased him in 1959. He also leaves to mourn his loss 37 grandchildren (Moira, Ellen, Matthew, Morgan, Shango, Kahlil, Miguel, Ira, Maura, Kathleen, Jesse, Ruth, Grace, Luke, Helena, Eric, Theresa, Colin, Zia, Ian, Lia, Jenny, Casey, Diana, Conor, Amiyra, Rasheeda, Madinah, Bryan, Rosie, Rachel, Aidan, Caleb, Nicholas, Jacob, Benjamin, and Erik) and 21 great-grandchildren (Cadence, Michael Storm, Antonia, Natasha, Michael Angel, Aidan, Marina, Cecilia, Sofia, Sarah, Oma, Emma, Vivian, Tess, John Peter, Liam, Juliet, Benjamin, Wilson, Gavin, and Mya).
After his service in WWII, Gene was an English instructor at Notre Dame. Later, he became an editor for Fides Publishers and then Ave Maria Press, both Catholic book publishers located at Notre Dame. Over the years, he authored many books on family life and devotion and wrote many articles for Catholic magazines and papers. Still, the farm life of his upbringing had a hold on him. About this he said “farmer blood runs strong”. He bought farm land on Cleveland Road, where he single-handedly built the house in which he and Jo raised their family in what was then a semi-rural setting. His small part-time farming operation provided a substantial portion of the milk, meat, and produce his big family needed. With pride he would observe that a meal was “off the place”. Visitors to the house could look forward to the merriment of a glass or two of his homemade wine. As a father of 16, Gene had little spare time, yet delighted in several creative diversions including gardening, winemaking, photography, and developing photos in his basement dark room. During his last 15 years, he assembled a pictorial genealogy of the Geissler family, which also chronicled the lives of relatives, close friends, and neighbors. He and Jo were among the founding members of Little Flower Catholic Church.
Upon his retirement at 72 years of age, Gene jotted down a simple prayer of thanksgiving, which read “Thank you, God, for having brought me this far!” Upon his passing after nearly a century of life, this prayer continues to ring true for the multitude of family and loved ones who have been blessed by his life. May God rest his soul and let perpetual light shine upon him.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 am Friday in Little Flower Catholic Church, 54191 N. Ironwood, South Bend (between Douglas and State Road 23). Internment will follow at St. Joseph Valley Memorial Park in Granger. Friends may call from 3-6 p.m. on Thursday followed by prayer service at 7 p.m., as well as 9 a.m. until funeral starts on Friday morning in Little Flower Church. Memorials may be made to Outreach Ministries, c/o Little Flower Parish, 54191 N. Ironwood, South Bend, IN 46635. Palmer Funeral Home - Hickey Chapel, 17131 Cleveland Road, South Bend, is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be left for the Geissler family at www.palmerfuneralhomes.com.
Visitation
ThursdayAugust 9, 2012
3:00 PM to 6:00 PM
St. Therese, Little Flower Catholic Church
54191 Ironwood Road
South Bend, IN 46635
Prayer Service
ThursdayAugust 9, 2012
7:00 PM
St. Therese, Little Flower Catholic Church
54191 Ironwood Road
South Bend, IN 46635
Visitation
FridayAugust 10, 2012
9:00 AM to 10:00 AM
St. Therese, Little Flower Catholic Church
54191 Ironwood Road
South Bend, IN 46635
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