Donald Francis Geisler, age 87 passed away on Sunday, June 17, 2018 at NOVANT Health Prince William Medical Center, Manassas, VA.
He was born on June 12, 1931 in McKees Rocks, PA to the late Joseph John and Florine Mary (Marsula) Geisler. Don attended the Divine Word Seminary in Girard, PA in high school and moved on to Canisius College in Buffalo, NY then Divine Word Missionaries in Techny, IL, but after several years decided he could better fulfill his spiritual obligations as a member of the lay community.
Unable to find work in Pennsylvania, Don moved to the Washington DC area and began work as a civilian supporting the Department of the Army, first for the Army Security Agency at Arlington Hall Station then INSCOM at Fort Belvoir until his retirement in 1995. Shortly after moving to Virginia, Don met his future wife, Betty Nedrich, also a Pennsylvania native. Don and Betty married on August 22, 1959 and lived in Arlington, but a few years after the birth of their fifth child moved to a larger home in Manassas in 1968.
Don became very active in All Saints Catholic Church shortly thereafter, serving as an usher, delivering food baskets to both families and the local food pantries, and serving on the offertory collections counting team. Don was a member of the St. Vincent de Paul Society for over two dozen years, serving as treasurer for most of that time. He became a member of the Knights of Columbus in 1969 and actively participated in their various charitable and social events. Don was selected as an Honorary Life Member of the Bishop J. Louis Flaherty Assembly, Knights of Columbus, Fourth Degree joining in 1977, and serving as their Comptroller and as a Bingo Captain for nearly four decades.
When his children were young, Don served in various positions; coaching sports teams and serving as treasurer of scouts, among others. When his children were older and had children of their own, Grandpa became a go-to babysitter. In addition to his religious callings, Don was fond of working in the yard, especially in the years following his retirement.
Don would drop whatever he was doing at any time to provide help to others; never putting himself first. That legacy of selfless support is the example that he leaves all of us.
Predeceased by his parents, 14 siblings and a granddaughter, Kimberley Geisler.
Survivors include his loving wife of 58 years, Betty Geisler; nine children: Anna Hogan and husband Bryan, Anthony Geisler and wife Mary, Jerome Geisler and wife Charlotte, Timothy Geisler and former wife Sue, Stephanie Church and former husband Larry, Christopher Geisler and wife Karen, Patrick Geisler and wife Claudia, Jonathan Geisler, and Jeffrey Geisler; three siblings: Andrew Geisler, Raymond Geisler and Dolores Marion; 14 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren. |