Gary O. Geller

JANESVILLE----- Gary O. Geller, age 71, of Janesville, died peacefully at his home on Tuesday, November 2, 2010 surrounded by family and friends after a long battle with multiple health issues. He was born in Janesville on June 13, 1939, the son of Stanley A. and Evalyn C. (Palmer) Geller. He graduated from Janesville High School in 1957. Gary was proud to have served in the U.S. Marine Corp.; 3rd Battalion, 12th Marines, 3rd Marine Division, from 1957 to 1960. Gary served with the Marines at Camp Pendleton, CA; Oahu, HI; and Quantico, VA. Gary had been a lifelong resident of Janesville. He married Valerie "Val" Goodall in Janesville on August. 18, 1962, and they owned Harry P. Goodall Inc. until his retirement in 1985. He was a 50+ year member of Cargill United Methodist Church, the Elk's Lodge #254 since 1965, and Moose Club since 1971. Gary had a life-long passion for the game of golf, loved to bowl, and spent many hours at the Senior Center working on ceramic projects. Gary served as the Director of the Wisconsin Public Links Association (WPLA) for many years and played in several WPLA State Golf Tournaments. He was a member of the Riverside Men's Golf Association. Gary made annual trips to Biloxi, MS and Myrtle Beach, SC with a group of area golf buddies for many years. Gary was the driving force behind reuniting fellow marines around the country. Over the years Gary organized several reunions with these Marine buddies. Gary's love of his grandchildren was well known. Gary dearly loved following all of his grandchildren's' sports and school activities. After a short stay in the hospital Gary made it to one of his grandson's Craig High School baseball games at Riverside Park, a half hour after being dismissed. Throughout Gary's life he had the uncanny experience of meeting several celebrities: Comedians George Gobel, Jonathon Winters, and Martin & Rossi; Actors/Singers Gene Autry, Jimmy Stewart, Dorothy Malone, Annette Funichello, Art Garfunkel and Ozzie & Harriet Nelson and their sons; Military General Randolph Pate, Commandant of the Marine Corps; and General Chesty Puller, most decorated Marine of World War II; Sports figures Mohammed Ali, Billy Casper, and Kenny Norton. Gary golfed in three GMO Pro AM tournaments with Bruce Crampton, Dale Douglass, and Bruce Fleischer. Gary is survived by his wife, Val Geller of Janesville; 2 sons, Steven (Margaret) Geller of Janesville and Jeffrey (Mary Ann) Geller of Rochester, IL; 5 grandchildren: Austin, Mason, and Gabrielle Geller all of Janesville, Zachary and Zane Geller of Rochester, IL; 2 brothers, Curt (Linda) Geller and Scott (Jackie) Geller both of Janesville; many nieces, nephews, extended family and friends, and his "grand-dog," Libby. He was preceded in death by his parents; step father, Raymond Quade; half-brother, Rollie Wilke; and sister-in-law, Edwina (Wilke) Butzler. A Funeral Service will be held at 12:00 noon on Saturday, Nov. 6, 2010, at CARGILL UNITED METHODIST CHURCH with Rev. Forrest Wells officiating. A visitation will be held on Saturday from 9:00 to 12:00 noon at the church. Interment will be in Milton Lawns Memorial Park at a later date. In lieu of other expressions of sympathy, lasting memorials will be given in Gary's memory to various charities designated by Gary. SCHNEIDER APFEL SCHNEIDER & SCHNEIDER FUNERAL HOME is assisting the family. The family would like to express sincere gratitude to Dr.'s Bowers, Lanser, Rou, Omari, Volkert, Teelin, Wolnack, Squires, Bussa, and Thomassen, Mercy Hospital & Clinics Staff, Rock Haven, HospiceCare, Inc., University of Wisconsin Hospital, Mercy Dialysis Center and DaVita Dialysis Center, as well as treasured family and friends who visited Gary at Mercy Hospital, Rock Haven, and at home. "Laugh as we always laughed at the little jokes we enjoyed together…" SEMPER FI forever !