George R. Geller 1896-1952

GELLER, EISENHART, MITCHELL

Posted By: Sharon Elijah (email)
Date: 5/24/2016 at 07:40:08

29 May 1952 - The Tipton Advertiser

George R. Geller, Prominent Tipton Business Man, Died of Injuries

Tipton business circles and the community were shocked Monday morning at word of the death of George R. Geller at the hospital in Cedar Rapids, where he had been taken a few days previously for care and treatment following an automobile accident near Tama.

He made temporary improvement, but his death occurred suddenly Monday morning.

George Roscoe Geller was born in Tipton, Iowa, October 11, 1896, and passed away at St. Luke's hospital, Cedar Rapids, Monday, May 26, 1952, from injuries sustained in an automobile accident, May 18. His parents, Charles J. and Dessie Eisenhart Geller were Tipton pioneers.

George attended the Tipton public school, graduated with the class of 1914. In 1920 he was also graduated from Grinnell college where he was active in dramatics and athletics. Upon graduation from college, he was awarded the Phi Beta key. After two years in college, he enlisted in the Coast Artilery corps of the U. S. army in World War I. As a reserve, he was called into active anti-aircraft service in World War 2 as a lieutenant colonel.

In 1920, his father Charles J. Geller retired from the lumber business and George became a partner of Mr. O. E. Wills and later acquired sole interest in the Geller Lumber Co. A few years ago, H. W. Fields and the late H. B. Ford were included as partners in the business.

George was a charter member of Garey-Whalen Post of the American Legion, a past master of Cedar Lodge A.F.& A. M., a member of Tipton Chapter O.E.S. Zerephath Consistory and the KAABA Shrine. He served as president of the Greater Tipton club two terms, was a director of the Tipton State bank and for the past several years, active vice-president, which office he held at the time of his death. He was also a member of the Tipton Methodist church.

Immediate survivors include his son, Harold, and sister Miss Laura Geller. His wife preceded him in death in March 1951.

Services in his memory will be held Thursday afternoon, May 29 at 2 o'clock at the Sheets funeral home where the Rev. Leo Wolfe will offer prayer and the Rose Croix service will be in charge of the Zerephath Consistory of Davenport. Garey-Whalen Post will conduct the service at the grave.

5 June 1952 - The Tipton Advertiser

In Tribute to George Roscoe Geller by Miss Marguerite Geiger

On May 26, 1952, a life of useful activity ended for George Roscoe Geller. He was born on October 11, 1896, the son of Charles J. and Dessie Eisenhart Geller, pioneer residents of Tipton, Iowa. With the exception of the years spent in college and the armed forces, his entire life was spent in Tipton where he attended the local schools and was graduated therefrom in 1914. In 1920 he was graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Arts, a Phi Beta Kappa, where in addition to the courses of study, he was active in athletics and dramatics.

In 1920 he assumed his father's interest in the Geller Lumber company, the firm established by his father in 1879. In 1948 he took as partners H. W. Fields and H. B. Ford, the latter now deceased, both of whom helped relieve the burdens of the business which he carried so successfully through the years.

His many friends and patrons held him in high esteem and depended on his knowledge and advice in the building field for their needs in improving existing buildings and new construction for his brilliant mind and long experience in this field of endeavor made the results outstanding.

He was a member of the Methodist church, formerly acting as a Sunday school teacher and also as a trustee; vice president and director of the Tipton State Bank for many years; past master of Cedar Lodge No. 11 A.F. & A.M.; member of the O.E.S., and Zarephath Consistory and member of the Shrine of Kaaba Temple; served two terms as president of the Greater Tipton club; member of Garey-Whalen Post No. 123 American Legion; and also belonged to the Iowa Lumbermen's association. In addition to the above he was a former president of the Tipton Volunteer Fire department, president of the Tipton band for three years, and chairman for the 1940 Tipton Centennial celebration.

Interest and helpful in many community projects, he gave freely of his time and talents to all constructive enterprises.

His military career is worthy of more than passing note. During World War I he was a member of the Coast Artillery, receiving his honorable discharge in December, 1918. For the years 1922 to 1927 was adjutant of the American Legion. In World War II he held the rank of Lieutenant Colonel, Battalion Commander of the 507th Regiment.

On June 20, 1929 he was married to Zola I. Mitchell who preceded him in death in March, 1951. A son, Harold, and a sister, Laura E. Geller, survive him.

Those who knew and loved him for his many fine qualities will join in saying of him--
"There's a long, long trail of friendship
Leading back through happy years,
And it's brightened by the many scenes
That memory endears;
It's lined with golden milestones
Showing times without an end
That it's been a joy and privilege
To have had him for a friend."