George Max Geissel

GEISSEL, GEORGE M.
of Kalamazoo, Michigan

George Max Geissel, age 87, went home to be with his Lord on August 26, 2020. George was born October 1, 1932 in Kalamazoo, MI, the son of Emil and Esther (Schulz) Geissel, Sr. He was a lifelong area resident, graduate of Mattawan School System in 1950 and served in the U.S. Army in Alaska during the Korean War. On September 24, 1960 he was united in marriage to Roberta (Schaefer) Geissel in Winnetka, IL. George and Roberta were blessed with three children: Jeanne in 1961, John in 1963, and Esther Lynne in 1970.

George retired from Rossman Automotive in 1997. He was a lifetime member of the Zion Lutheran Church, where he served as usher for over 50 years. George volunteered for over 20 years (5 years as a part-time bookkeeper) with Loaves & Fishes, until his illness in 2019. He enjoyed reading, gardening and his Wednesday afternoon card games at Portage Senior Center.

Family was very important to George, especially spending time with his grandchildren. Surviving are his loving wife of nearly 60 years Roberta Geissel; his "son"-in-law David Webster and wife Jackie; four grandchildren, Kate (Matt) Norviel, Aaron (Monica) Webster, Ryan (Fran) Webster, Spencer Geissel and fiancée Emily Heydinger; three great-grandsons, Harrison, Jeremiah and Riley Webster; sister Doris Stermer; sister-in-law Nola Geissel; and many nieces and nephews.

George was preceded in death by his three children, Esther Geissel in 1994, John Geissel in 2000 and Jeanne Webster in 2015; his parents and parents-in-law; and his siblings, Marie Masten Dowling, Emil Geissel, Jr., Lois Rey and Thelma Lanphear.

The Funeral Service will be held at 10:00am on Saturday, August 29th at the Zion Lutheran Church, 2122 Bronson Blvd. with Pastor Timothy Seeber officiating. Services will be held outdoors in the church parking lot with social distancing and face masks required. A private family graveside service will be held in Mt. Ever-Rest Memorial Park South.

The family wishes to thank all who helped with George's care especially the last couple of weeks. In lieu of flowers, memorials in George's memory may be directed to Kalamazoo RESA Foundation, Jeanne Webster Memorial Scholarship Fund; or Zion Lutheran Church; or Hospice Care of Southwest Michigan.

Please visit George's personalized web page to sign his online guest book and leave a condolence or message for his family at: https://www.langelands.com