Claude R. Gaiser

85, passed away Friday, July 8, 2011 at Woodmont Health Campus in Boonville, IN. Claude was born November 29, 1925, the last of five children of John E. (Slick) Gaiser and Helen (Gusfatfson) Gaiser in Evansville, Indiana. He attended Emma Roach and Harwood grade schools and graduated from Reitz High School in 1943. He started working at the age of 14 at the westside A&P Grocery store as a butcher. He also worked night shift at Republic Aviation in addition to working at the A&P while going to high school. Claude met the love of his life, Marcella Bailey, while working at the A&P store and the two were married in the afternoon of January 22, 1944 (he was inducted into the Army that same morning). He served his country as a Forward Observer in the 609 Field Artillery in the European theater obtaining the rank of Tech 4. Upon returning from the service, Claude went to work for International Harvester Company. While working for International Harvester, Claude had the distinction of selling and/or servicing equipment for every division that International Harvester represented, from the parts department, refrigeration, farm equipment, industrial power equipment and finally truck sales. In 1956 Claude went to work for Alvey-Scott Motors as Sales Manager, selling GMC trucks. In 1967 Claude and Bud Alvey moved their truck leasing company out of Alvey-Scott Motors into its own facility and started Nationalease of Evansville, which Claude directed as president, eventually growing into four locations (Evansville, IN, Decatur, IL, Springfield, IL & Memphis, TN). Claude and Bud Alvey sold Nationalease in June 1979 to Ryder Truck Rentals and devoted their time to managing their real estate holdings. Claude was an avid golfer and enjoyed his membership at Rolling Hills Country Club for over 48 years. He and his wife enjoyed traveling in their motor home and playing golf across the country. Claude is preceded in death by his parents and sister, Martha (Gaiser) Chamberlain and brother, Carl E. Gaiser. Claude is survived by his wife of 67 years, Marcella (Bailey) Gaiser, son Randall Gaiser and partner Marlene Brannon of Newburgh, IN, daughter Connie (Gaiser) Herbert and husband Alan of Barrington, IL, sister Louise (Gaiser) Gruebel of Evansville, IN, brother Franc Gaiser and his wife Kathryn of Newburgh, IN, six grandchildren, Ronald K. Gaiser of Nicholasville, KY, Kimberly Gaiser of Covington, KY, Shannon (Herbert) Saul of Fisher, IN, Courtney (Herbert) Hesch of Elmhurst, IL, Ryan Herbert of Scottsdale, AZ and Andrew Herbert of Vernon Hills, IL, and nine great-grandchildren. Visitation will be from 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Wednesday, July 13, at Ziemer Funeral Home East Chapel, 800 S. Hebron Ave., Evansville, and continue from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, July 14 at the funeral home. Funeral services will begin at 11:00 a.m. Thursday at the funeral home with burial to follow in Bethlehem United Church of Christ Cemetery, 6400 Oak Hill Rd., Evansville. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions may be made to Saint Jude's Children's Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105, or the Buoniconti Fund to Cure Paralysis, 1095 NW 14th Terrace, R-48, Miami, FL 33136. Condolences may be made to the family online at www.ziemerfuneralhome.com.