October 18, 1928 - February 11, 2023
Joseph Severus Geisel, III, 94, passed away on February 11, 2023. Joe was born October 18, 1928, in Kansas City, Missouri, to Joseph and Dorothy (Helm) Geisel. He is preceded in death by his parents, wife Geraldine Finucane Geisel, son Joseph S. Geisel, IV, and sister Dorothy Ann Shillingburg. He is survived by his children: Mary Jo DeMaio (Warren), Katie Bowler (Bill), John (Cathy), Annie Monak (Tim), and Bebe Harrington (Jim); 16 grandchildren: Allison DeMaio, Brian (Stasia) DeMaio, Billy (Billy Tymon) DeMaio, Joe Geisel V (Gretchen), Jessie Heaney (Sam), Meg Cowan, Michaela Heaney (Coleman), Kelly Bowler, Erin Bowler, E.J. Geisel, Josh Geisel, Emily Geisel, Timothy Monak, Josie Monak, Eileen Harrington, and Clare Harrington; 6 great-grandchildren: Sev, William, Bo, Jobie, Jeter, and Greer; daughter-in-law Mary Cowan; brother-in-law Don Shillingburg and many nieces and nephews.
Joe attended St. Francis Grade School and Rockhurst High School in Kansas City, MO. He is a proud graduate of the University of Notre Dame, class of 1949. Joe later served as a Lieutenant in the United States Navy on the USS Pecatonica, serving his country in Europe, Asia, and the South Pacific. On October 12, 1957, he married Geraldine Finucane. They raised their six children in Kansas City, Missouri. Joe’s professional career was in the grain business, primarily as the owner of Geisel Grain Company at the Kansas City Board of Trade. Joe loved spending time with family and his lifelong friends from St. Peter’s, the “Supper Club,” the “Discussion Club,” and his golf buddies. Joe loved art, architecture, and history and based much of his travel around these interests.
In lieu of flowers, and in honor of Joe’s commitment to Catholic education, the family suggests donations to these three Catholic High Schools: St. Teresa’s Academy (Geisel Family Scholarship), Notre Dame de Sion High School (Geraldine Finucane Geisel Scholarship), or Rockhurst High School (Joe Geisel, ‘77, Scholarship).
The Mass of Christian Burial will be on Saturday, March 4, at 10:00 am at St. Peter’s Church, 701 E. Meyer Blvd, Kansas City, MO. Live-streaming available through St. Peter’s Church YouTube channel @StPetersKC.
