Helen I. Geiselman, 100, of Loudonville, died Wednesday afternoon, March 23, 2016 in Brookwood Place at Brethren Care Village, Ashland, after a long and fruitful life.
Helen was born Feb. 11, 1916 in Tiverton Twp. Coshocton County and was the only child of the late Byron and Sylvia (Schmid) Strouse. Helen grew up in Loudonville and was a 1934 graduate of Loudonville High School.
At age 17, she helped Miss Pauline Clutter with her first grade class of 45 pupils and got her first taste of teaching. After serving for a year as her aide, she decided to enroll in Kent State University and received her teaching certificate but before she finished her three years of college, the Loudonville Schools’ Superintendent approached her about teaching third grade in his system.
Thus began her 50 years in the Loudonville-Perrysville School District, teaching third and sixth grade students until her 1981 retirement. Ever industrious, in 1961 she completed her Bachelor’s Degree in Education from Ashland College and during that decade was selected as a Jennings Scholar.
She was the Director of the Loudonville High School Theater Dept. for many years and served as a president of the Loudonville-Perrysville Education Association from 1976 -1977. She was a substitute teacher from 1981-2001 and continued tutoring students for two additional years. During her retirement, she volunteered in the Ohio Reads Program.
She was a member of the Loudonville United Methodist Church, served the First Presbyterian Church for 27 years as their choir director, was the Director of the Loudonville Community Chorus, and a member of The Bridge Club.
Following her retirement she enjoyed flower gardening at her home and doing the “1,001 New York Times Crossword Puzzles” which may have contributed to her intellect remaining so sharp throughout her lifetime. On Dec. 23, 1939 she married Richard A. Geiselman and they shared nearly 48 years before his death on March 6, 1987.
Helen is survived by two daughters and son-in-law: Diane Geiselman, of Loudonville, and Vicki and Kenneth Rosser, of Ashland; four grandchildren: Christina Elliott, of Loudonville, Kevin (Kim) Rosser, of Ashland, Benjamin (Christina) Rosser, of Kinsman, and Amber (Bret) Swisher, of Ashland; 13 great-grandchildren: Antonia, Bianca, and Elliana Trejo; Michael Bixler; Grady and Landen Rosser; Nolan, Rachael, Madeline and Naomi Rosser; and Madden Rosser, Emma, and Jacob Swisher. She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband.
A Celebration of the Life of Helen I. Geiselman will be held Saturday, April 2, 2016 at 11 a.m. in the Loudonville United Methodist Church with Rev. Dr. Steven Sullivan officiating. Interment will be in Loudonville Cemetery. Friends and family may visit one hour prior to services in the church from 10 to 11 a.m. Memorial contributions may be given to the Community Help Mission, 124 N. Market Street, Loudonville, Ohio, 44842 or the Loudonville Public Library, 122 East Main Street, Loudonville, OH 44842.
The Lindsey Funeral Home, Loudonville is honored to be assisting the Geiselman family with arrangements. Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.Byerly-Lindsey.com.
