It is with sadness that we announce the passing of James “Jim” Geiger of Sandoval. Jim passed away on June 9th, a date that coincided with the 28th anniversary of his father’s passing.
Born in Centralia, Illinois on June 3, 1937, Jim was the son of Adolph M. Geiger and Winnifred Poole. For the majority of his life, Jim resided on the family farm, aside from an 11-year period when he relocated to Centralia following his marriage to Mary K. Minner on June 6, 1959. Shortly after their union, Jim was drafted into the Army and was stationed in Paris, France, where he served as an MP. Just three days before his passing, Jim and Mary celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary.
Jim and Mary were blessed with three children. Their eldest, a son Mark A. Geiger, is married to Catherine (Connaway). They, in turn, have two sons Michael J. Geiger and Matthew C. Geiger. Subsequently, a daughter Julie A. Geiger was welcomed into the family. She is the mother of a son William J. Drake, and a daughter Allyson K. Drake. Completing the family was another daughter, Jennifer Walker, who is married to Ryan Walker. They are the parents of twin sons, Val C. Walker and August G. Walker.
Jim possessed a deep interest in collecting antique tractors, particularly favoring International Harvesters. Additionally, Jim enjoyed hunting and the collection of toy farm equipment. However, Jim’s true passion lay in farming, as it was ingrained in his very essence. As the fourth-generation steward of the family farm, which was originally acquired in 1873 by George Geiger from Baden, Germany, Jim solidified the legacy on the farm.
Jim can now find solace in knowing that his labor on the farm is complete, especially as the family farm just recently celebrated its sesquicentennial anniversary.
A celebration of life service will be held at noon on Saturday, June 15, 2024, at the Day Macz Funeral Home in Sandoval with Pastor R.C. Merten officiating. Interment will follow at Hillcrest Memorial Park in Centralia. Friends and relatives are welcome to a visitation time from 11:00 a.m. until the service time at noon at the funeral home. Memorials may be made in Jim’s honor to the Centralia American Legion Post 446. Online condolences and memories of Jim may be shared with the family by visiting www.maczfuneralhomes.com and/or on the funeral home’s Facebook page.
