Donald Geiss

Donald R. Geiss

Age 83 of Wilmington, passed away Tuesday morning, December 8, 2015 at Aperion Care in Wilmington.

Born November 5, 1932, Donald Raymond was the youngest of seven sons born to Leone and Ellen Ross (Dixon) Geiss. He was raised and educated in Wilmington and went on to honorably serve in the United States Army. On April 9, 1955, Don married Adela E. Gallegos in Colorado Springs, and together they made their home in Wilmington. Don’s employment entailed working at Hauck Oil in Wilmington, before going to work at UniRoyal. He later gained employment with Caterpillar Tractor Company in Joliet, from where he retired after 32 years of service. Don was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Wilmington, Wilmington American Legion Post 191 and the Loyal Order of Moose, Wilmington Lodge 241. He was a lifetime member of Ponderosa and Will County Sportsman’s Club / Lake Will, and belonged to the Caterpillar Retiree’s Club. Don loved to fish, as well as hunt pheasants and rabbits. He was a NASCAR enthusiast and took pleasure in photography.

Survivors include his wife Adela; four children: Charlene Cohoon, Donna (Steve) VanWert and Ellen (Doug) Bryant, all of Wilmington and Donald L. (Carrie) Geiss of International Falls, Minnesota; (11) grandchildren: Harold Cohoon, Janay (Ken) Ericksen, Brent Cosgrove, Jeff Cosgrove, Eric (Dana) Bryant, Cindy (Craig) Pierard, Taylor (Ryan) Tierney, Aaron Geiss, Lexi Geiss, Drew VanWert and Kelsy VanWert; (11) great grandchildren: Kailey Ericksen, Jacob Ericksen, Cameren Ericksen, Brianna Cosgrove, McKenzie Cosgrove, Aubrey Bryant, Fynn Bryant, Maeve Bryant, Dalton Dugard, Laynah Pierard and Landyn Pierard; four sisters-in-law: Margaret Geiss, Lois Geiss, Freida Geiss and Norma Geiss, all of Wilmington, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Donald was preceded in death by his parents; son-in-law Harold L. Cohoon, Sr.; six brothers: LaVerne (Jewellane) Geiss, Calvin Geiss, Ervin (Rose) Geiss, Leon “Gene” Geiss, Orville Geiss and Merle Geiss, as well as his loyal and faithful companion Star.

Visitation and video tribute will be held on Friday, December 11, 2015 between the hours of 4:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. at Baskerville Funeral Home, 700 East Kahler Road in Wilmington. Funeral services will follow Saturday morning, December 12th in the First United Methodist Church, 401 East Kahler Road in Wilmington at 10:00 a.m. Reverend Tom Kingery will officiate. Burial with full military honors will be in Oakwood Cemetery, Wilmington. Don’s grandchildren will act as pallbearers and honorary pallbearers.

Family and friends may sign the guest book, share photographs or view Don’s memorial page by logging onto: www.BaskervilleFuneral.com

Funeral services and arrangements have been made under the direction and care of Baskerville Funeral Home in Wilmington. (815-476-2181)