James E. Gieseck
October 7, 1937 — February 20, 2023
James "Jim" Edwin Gieseck passed away on February 20, 2023. He was born October 7, 1937, to Harry and Margaret Gieseck in Pataskala, Ohio. The third of the five "Gieseck Boys", Jim grew up on the family farm, working hard and getting into mischief with his brothers. After graduating Licking Heights High School in 1957, he enlisted in the Marine Corps where after seeing a tank explode decided airplanes were safer, and joined a Marine Aircraft Repair Squadron.
To his delight, Jim discovered the Marine Corps was less work than farming, and actually gained weight during boot camp. It didn't hurt that men were willing to trade their chocolate bars for his cigarette rations. After the Marine Corps, he worked for Connor Casket Company and the B&O railroad before joining the Kroger Company as a truck driver, where he worked until retirement. He loved talking to people and never met a stranger (or a bad piece of pie). This helped when he talked the Secret Service into letting his family go on a VIP tour of the White House and talked an MP into not arresting him for sneaking onto a military base on the back of a semi to take pictures of an airplane.
He was preceded in death by wife, Thelma "Betty" Gieseck; son, Jeff Gieseck; son-in-law, Dennis Provance; daughter-in-law, Alda Keith; and granddaughter, Erika Plante. He is survived by children, Susan (Mike) Gray, Keith (Teresa) Gieseck, Jamie (Jim) Ashworth, Shirley Provance, Bill Keith, Sue (Bobby) Shepherd, Larry (Alicia) Keith; and a multitude of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren. He is also survived by brothers, Harry (aka Sonny) and Paul Gieseck; and reunited with brothers, Charles (aka Chuck) and Ronald.
Jim loved his friends and family, trains, planes, travel, good food, animals, and the Alexandria United Methodist Church. He was a great man with a big heart and did not have a mean bone in his body. Our hearts are broken, and we will miss him deeply. Family to hold private service. Day Funeral Service is honored to serve the family of James “Jim” Edwin Gieseck.
To his delight, Jim discovered the Marine Corps was less work than farming, and actually gained weight during boot camp. It didn't hurt that men were willing to trade their chocolate bars for his cigarette rations. After the Marine Corps, he worked for Connor Casket Company and the B&O railroad before joining the Kroger Company as a truck driver, where he worked until retirement. He loved talking to people and never met a stranger (or a bad piece of pie). This helped when he talked the Secret Service into letting his family go on a VIP tour of the White House and talked an MP into not arresting him for sneaking onto a military base on the back of a semi to take pictures of an airplane.
He was preceded in death by wife, Thelma "Betty" Gieseck; son, Jeff Gieseck; son-in-law, Dennis Provance; daughter-in-law, Alda Keith; and granddaughter, Erika Plante. He is survived by children, Susan (Mike) Gray, Keith (Teresa) Gieseck, Jamie (Jim) Ashworth, Shirley Provance, Bill Keith, Sue (Bobby) Shepherd, Larry (Alicia) Keith; and a multitude of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren. He is also survived by brothers, Harry (aka Sonny) and Paul Gieseck; and reunited with brothers, Charles (aka Chuck) and Ronald.
Jim loved his friends and family, trains, planes, travel, good food, animals, and the Alexandria United Methodist Church. He was a great man with a big heart and did not have a mean bone in his body. Our hearts are broken, and we will miss him deeply. Family to hold private service. Day Funeral Service is honored to serve the family of James “Jim” Edwin Gieseck.
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