Lester R. Geisler

Lester Raymond Geisler, 84 of Stevensville, passed away on Sunday, June 14, 2009, at The Willows in St. Joseph. A funeral service celebrating his life will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, June 20, at the Starks and Menchinger Family Funeral Home, 2650 Niles Road, St. Joseph. Burial at Hickory Bluff Cemetery in Stevensville will immediately follow the service. Visitation for family and friends is Friday from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Those wishing to share a memory or sign the guest book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com. Memorial donations may be made to St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran church or to St. Joseph High School/ Terry F. Geisler Softball Scholarship Fund. Lester was born on May 23, 1925, in Derby, Michigan to Frank and Elsie (Tiefenbach) Geisler and married his high school sweetheart, Shirley Jean Ott, on February 13, 1945. He entered the navy immediately after high school and served for two years as a World War II radar combat veteran on the U.S.S. Janssen in the North Atlantic. After returning from the war, Les co-owned several businesses over the years -Harbor Ann Oil, the Welcome Inn and G and G Motor Sales in Benton Harbor. In retirement, he worked part time for Seeley Wright as a driver. Lester’s favorite recreational activities were hunting, fishing, piloting small planes, playing softball, golf and cards. He was always the loyal Tiger and Lions fan and had a special place in his heart for his two golden retrievers. For many years he also served in the Volunteer Stevensville Fire Department and held a lifetime membership to Ducks Unlimited. Lester is survived by Shirley, his wife of 64 years, son Lon (Tammy) Geisler of Stevensville, daughters Nancy (Roger) Rice of Toledo, OH and Betsy Senecal of Traverse City, MI, daughter-in-law Sharon Geisler of St. Joseph, eight grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, sister Luella Conklin, brother Phillip, and son, Terry Geisler, on April 25, 2009.