Terry Geisler

Terry Franklin Geisler was born to Lester and Shirley (Ott) Geisler on October 3, 1951, in St. Joseph, Michigan. He fell asleep in our Savior’s loving arms at Lakeland Hospital on Saturday, April 25, 2009 at the age of 57. Terry was baptized and confirmed at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Stevensville, Michigan. He attended St. Paul’s Lutheran Grade School and later graduated in 1969 from Michigan Lutheran Seminary in Saginaw, MI. In 1973, he continued his education at Wisconsin Lutheran College in Milwaukee, WI and Dr. Martin Lutheran College in New Ulm, Minnesota where he completed his bachelors of science in education. Upon graduation from college, he served as a Lutheran elementary teacher teaching and coaching at St. John’s Lutheran School in Waterloo, Wisconsin for five years. Terry married Sharon Sue Baumann on August 5, 1973 in Grafton, NE and they were blessed with four children – Meggan, Stephanie, Trent, and Phillip. Besides being a devoted husband and father, Terry has touched all those who knew him with his passionate opinions, strict adherence to his law, and his ability to always be right. During all of his years, he dedicated his free time to umpiring, refereeing, and anything else that let him be in charge. He worked diligently with the Michigan High School Athletic Association as an official and assignor for many area high schools. He umpired numerous regional and state final softball games and refereed many levels of girls and boys basketball games. Terry worked for Kent Vending, Russell Vending, and most recently for Kalamazoo Vending. Terry was a member of Grace Lutheran Evangelical Lutheran Church. Terry is survived by his father and mother, Lester and Shirley Geisler of Stevensville, MI; wife Sharon Geisler of St. Joseph, MI; sister Nancy and husband Roger Rice of Toledo, OH; sister Betsey Senecal of Traverse City, MI; brother Lon Geisler and wife Tammy of Stevensville, MI; daughter Meggan and husband Jeff McMurtrie of Kalamazoo, MI; daughter Stephanie Geisler of St. Joseph, MI; son Trent and wife Teresa Geisler of Virginia Beach, VA; son Phillip Geisler of New York, NY; three grandchildren Laura, Dominic, and Isabel; as well as many cousins, nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends. The visitation for Terry will be held on April 29th from 5-8 at Starks and Menchinger Funeral Home and the funeral is scheduled at Grace Lutheran Church on April 30th at 10:00 A.M., with Pastor Glen Rosenbaum presiding. Burial will follow at Riverview Cemetery in St. Joseph. Any memorials may be donated to Grace Lutheran Church and School located at 404 East Glenlord Road, St. Joseph, MI 49085. Those wishing to send the family a message of condolence may do so online at www.starks-menchinger.com.