John Geissler

SIDNEY -- John Lawrence Geissler, 69, passed from this world into the arms of his savior on November 14, 2022. He leaves behind his bride of 49 years, Sharon, after over a year-long battle from metastatic melanoma. He is also survived by his 2 sons, Jonathan (Heather Rocco) of Troy and Christopher (Jenna) of Ft. Wayne, Indiana, and his daughter, Lindsey (Jesse Shell) of Sidney. He had 2 grandchildren, Keaton Geissler and Cordelia Shell. He is also survived by his sister, Peg (Mick Toth) in Rancho Mirage, CA, and brothers Bud (Ruth) in McKeesport, PA and Ken (Karen) in Pottsdam, PA. He was preceded in death by his parents, Edward and Betty (Fallquist) from McKeesport PA.

John started his ministry in Pennsylvania in the early 70's working with his father-in-law. In 1977, he moved to Ohio with his wife and young son to attend Dayton Bible College. He began pastoring a church in 1978, having added a second son. In 1979, they moved to Troy, Ohio to continue pastoring until 1988. In 1984, he had met Eddie Kakepetum, a Cree Indian from Sandy Lake, Ontario, Canada and began traveling 1500 miles to their reservation. This is what started the mission trips.

In 1989, he began pastoring Faith Fellowship of Sidney and added a daughter, (becoming full time in 1993) until 2003. It was during that tenure he had the idea to open a food pantry and quickly found out food insecurity was a major problem in Sidney. He called the program, "Agape" - Greek for unconditional love, reciprocal from God to humanity and back.

Thus began the mission trips where he went to Russia, Belarus, Ukraine and over 45 different countries.

He became one of the favorite teachers in YWAM (Youth With a Mission) where his theme song was "A Whole New World" and his favorite shout to enter the room was "WooHoo!".

John will be missed by thousands worldwide.

A Memorial Service for John will be held on Monday, November 28, 2022, at 11 A.M. at Solid Rock Church, 2745 OH-29, Sidney, with Pastors Rodney Reynolds and William Loudermilk leading the service. The family will receive friends from 10 AM until the time of service.

Arrangements are in the care of Cromes-Edwards Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests that donations be made to Agape Distribution or The Joseph Connection.

Condolences may be made to John's family at, www.cromesfh.com