Donald Robert Geiss

Don Geiss The world lost a hero when Don Geiss, 86, died March 25, at the Grayling Nursing and Rehabilitation center. He was born in Cleveland, Ohio. He served in the U.S. Infantry during World War II and was a Prisoner of War in Germany for nearly a year. He was decorated with a Purple Heart, a Victory Medal and two Bronze Stars, among others. He received both his Bachelors and Masters degrees from Michigan State University. He taught Audio Visual Education at Michigan State, Slippery Rock State College in Pennsylvania and Mansfield State College in Pennsylvania. He also directed a four-county Educational Media Center in north central Pennsylvania, as well as holding other positions in his chosen field. After moving to the Grayling area, he wrote for the Herald Times and The Crawford County Avalanche, as well as other publications He was a member of the Grayling Rotary Club and Camp Grayling Conservation Club. He served as a board member of the Crawford County Housing Commission and the Department of Social Services and was a local representative for the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve. He spent many hours volunteering with River House Shelter, Crawford County Historical Museum, Crawford County Fish Hatchery, the Grayling Visitors Bureau and the Grayling Regional Chamber of Commerce. He was an avid fisherman, hunter and bird watcher. He enjoyed leather work, painting and reading. He raised African violets and conducted workshops about them in Michigan and Texas. He spoke at various programs and school functions about his P.O.W. experiences. He is survived by his wife, Maxine of 62 years; three children: Pat Niemczyk of Grayling, Jeff Geiss of Gaylord, Ilene Geiss-Wilson of Frederic; a son-in-law, Steve Wilson of Frederic; five grandchildren: Laura, Krysta and Anna Niemczyk and Rachel and Curtis Wilson. No services are currently planned. Contributions may be made to the American Ex-POW organization, 3201 East Pioneer Parkway #40, Arlington, TX, or the Crawford County United Way, P.O. Box 171, Grayling. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Donald Robert Geiss, please visit our flower store.