GEILER, Carlton "Vae"

GEILER, MENNEN, GREEN

Posted By: Sharon R Becker (email)
Date: 4/3/2018 at 22:47:18

Obituary ~ Carlton "Vae" GEILER
December 20, 1922 ~ December 03, 2011

The Arizona Republic
Phoenix, Arizona
December 11, 2011

SUN CITY, Ariz. — Carlton Vae Geiler, 88, of Sun City, Az passed away on Saturday, December 3, 2011, in Sun City, Ariz.

Vae was born on Dec. 20, 1922 to Karl & Florence Geiler of Mason City, Iowa.

He is survived by his sister Dixie Mennen of Mason City; sons Kal and Kirk Geiler, daughter-in-law Kristy Geiler, all of Phoenix AZ; five grandchildren, Shenae, Bree, Kaleb, Logan and Megan Geiler; one great granddaughter; and several cousins in Mason City.

Vae graduated from Mason City H.S in 1940, Mason City Jr. College 1949, Iowa Teachers College with a B.A in 1951 and masters in 1954.

He enlisted in the Navy in 1941 and served on the aircraft carrier USS Hornet where he participated in Doolittle's Raid on Tokyo, and the Battle of Midway. He survived the sinking of the Hornet during the Battle of Santa Cruz Island in 1942. He then served on the USS Lexington until leaving active duty in 1947 as Chief Yeoman. After that he served in the Naval Reserves and retired in 1980. He was very proud of his military service and an avid World War II history buff.

After the War, Vae returned to Mason City and married Mitzie Green, of Mason City, in January 1949. Vae graduated from Mason City Junior College (now North Iowa Area Community College) in 1949, Iowa Teachers College (now University of Northern Iowa) with a B.A. in 1951, and an M.A. in 1953

Vae was a career teacher and coach, he taught at Greenfield HS, Plainfield HS, Clinton HS & JC all in Iowa, Florence HS in AZ. Vae then moved to the valley in 1958 to teach and coach golf at Phx Union HS, then moving to Maryvale HS where he taught business, coached golf and wrestling and eventually became associate principle until he retired in 1983.

Vae will be buried at sea via the U.S. Navy. A memorial service and inurnment will be held [Elmwood-St. Joseph Cemetery] in Mason City at a later date to be determined.

He was preceded in death by his parents, an infant son, Gregory, a brother-in-law, Richard Mennen and a nephew, Mark Mennen.

Donations may be made in his name to the Elk's Club of Sun City

Arrangements: Major Erickson Funeral Home & Crematory, 111 N. Pennsylvania Avenue, Mason City, Iowa 50401, 641-423-0924, www.majorericksonfuneralhome.com.

Transcription by Sharon R. Becker, April of 2018