Obituary of Charles W. Geiger

Charles W. Geiger, 87, of 333 Weeks St. died unexpectedly, Friday (October 1, 2010) in his home. He was born May 11, 1923 in Amsterdam, NY, the son of the late Walter and Minnie Geiger. A US Navy veteran of WWII, his ship, an LST, landed British troops at Sword Beach during the Normandy invasion on the second wave. He received a bachelor's degree from the School of Management at the University of Buffalo, and a master's degree from St. Bonaventure University. Charles retired from Blackstone Corp. as a systems manager in 1988. He was also a retired pastor, serving along with his wife Lyda at the Pleasant Valley United Methodist Church in Kabob from 1991 until 1997. He was a member of Christ First United Methodist Church in Jamestown, the American Legion, and a board member of the Martz Observatory. He enjoyed keeping active, volunteering at St. Susan's Center and the Humane Society, also playing pinochle, camping out, trips with the seniors group, and the seniors exercise class. Charles was an energetic participant in the Boy Scouts of America, Troop 131, and received the Order of the Arrow at age 75. He is survived by two sons, Richard C. Geiger (Anne M. Bailey) of Jamestown; Donald A. Geiger of Houghton, MI; six grandchildren, Richard I., Michelle, Jennifer, Adrienne, Maria, Matthew; and several great grandchildren. Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 56 years, Lyda M. Geiger who died December 28, 2002; three brothers, Larry, Harold, and Howard Geiger; three sisters, Betty Sherman, Edna Davis, and Jean Casey. The funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. Wednesday October 6, 2010 in Christ Chapel of Christ First United Methodist Church. The Rev. Douglas M. Knopp, and the Rev. C. Gordon Bloomberg, will officiate. Burial with full military honors will be in Lake View Cemetery. Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday in the Lind Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to the Boy Scouts of America Allegany-Highlands Council Troop 131, 50 Hough Hill, Falconer, NY 14733; or St. Susan's Center, 31 Water St Jamestown, NY 14701; or Chautauqua County Humane Society, 2825 Strunk Road, Jamestown, NY 14701.