Carlene Amanda Geisler
May 12, 2004

Carlene Amanda Meinhardt Geisler, age 90, formerly of Quincy, died at 5:50 AM on May 12, 2004 in Mesa, AZ.

Mrs. Geisler was born August 23, 1913 in Donnellson, Iowa. On June 19, 1941, she married Harry Bernard Geisler in Chicago. He survives, at 346 Leisure World, Mesa, Arizona 85206.

The daughter of Hugh John Meinhardt and Amanda Josephine Wahrer Meinhardt, Carlene was one of four children: Edward Hugh Meinhardt (deceased), James Henry Meinhardt (deceased) and Ruth Isobelle Meinhardt Priest.

Carlene and her siblings rode horse-drawn school buses to attend school in Argyle, Iowa, at the first consolidated school west of the Mississippi. In 1919, they moved to a farm northwest of Baring, MO where they attended the Miller Country School. In 1926, the Meinhardt children attended the new school in Baring from which Carlene graduated in 1931. In high school, Carlene played basketball and participated in all of the school plays. After graduation, she taught two years at the Miller Country School and attended Northeast Missouri State Teachers College in Kirksville. After her father lost the farm in 1929, he started the Meinhardt Cartage Company, having sold the chickens to purchase the first truck. Carlene quit college to begin working with her father's company. Ultimately, terminals were located in Memphis and Kirksville, MO and in Quincy and Chicago, IL.

Carlene was the first President of the Baring High School Alumni Association and continued to attend the annual reunions held at the St. Aloysius Church Hall in Baring.

In 1938 when Carlene was working in her father's Quincy office, she met Harry Bernard Geisler, who leased a truck to the Meinhardt Cartage Company for the Chicago to Quincy run. Their courtship continued when Carlene was sent to dispatch and operate the Chicago office. Carlene and Harry were married on June 19, 1941 in St. Genevieve's Church in Chicago.

Carlene and Harry had two children, Edward Geisler, who drowned in 1972, and Sharon Harriet Geisler Cushman of Mesa, AZ. She survives. They had three grandchildren and five great grandchildren: Steven Harry Cushman, his wife Laurie and three children, Jana, Jamie and Jennifer; Tamara Cushman Fatheree, her husband Arnold and their daughter Bridget; and, Kevin Royal Cushman (deceased) and his daughter Chelsie. All live in Arizona.

Carlene was regarded as a devoted and loving wife, mother and grandmother. She was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church. She was also respected as an enthusiastic outspoken civic leader, philanthropist and retired transport executive. In 1988, with 50 years of involvement in the trucking business, Carlene and Harry Geisler were honored nationally as two of the founders of the American Trucking Industry.

Carlene loved music. She played the piano and was in the Quincy Sweet Adelines Chorus. In 1938, she was the first woman to pilot a plane in Quincy. She flew a Piper Cub from the Monroe Airport, across from Melrose Chapel. Carlene and Harry were avid sports fans. They became members of the Diehard Cubs Fan Club in 1941. Through many years, they sponsored numerous softball, baseball, soccer and volleyball league teams for men, women, coed, youth and children's teams. They especially enjoyed attending games to encourage the players.

In appreciation for extraordinary leadership, Carlene and Harry received numerous community, state and national awards. Their vast community involvement blessed people of all ages and at all stages of life.

Harry and Carlene Geisler - A Partnership of Sharing God's Love

Their legacy of love blessed the following organizations:

Arthritis Foundation, Bible Grove School in Missouri, Blessing Hospital (and St. Mary's previously), Boy Scouts, Camp Callahan, Chaddock, Chamber of Commerce of Quincy, Culver Stockton College, Downing House in Memphis, MO, Family Services of Adams County, Frederick Ball Day Care Center, Girl Scouts, Good Samaritan Home, Indian Hills Neighborhood, Ladies of Charity, Melrose Chapel United Methodist Church, Parkview Church, Quincy, Quincy Catholic Youth Organization, Quincy Notre Dame High School, Quincy Park District, Quincy Society of Fine Arts, Quincy University, Quincy YMCA, Quincy YWCA, QUANADA, Senior Citizens Center, Senior Olympics (John Wood and YMCA), St. Mary Catholic Church and School, The Republican Party, Trinity Faith Chapel in Kahoka, MO, United Way of Adams County, Volunteer Emergency Corps of Quincy & Adams County, Washington School, Quincy.

Exceptional Community Service Recognized

1965 Geislers were key community leaders who made it possible for Quincy to have a float in the Rose Bowl Parade. The float placed 2nd in cities of Quincy's size.

1982 Carlene and Harry received the Humanitarian Award from Family Services of Adams County

1983 Carlene received the Golden Deeds Award from the Quincy Exchange Club, Carlene received the national Girl Scouts of America Life Membership Award

1986 Carlene named First Lady of Quincy by Beta Sigma Phi

1988 Geislers were honored by the American Truck Historical Society for their professional contributions to the trucking industry...including 50 years of being in the trucking business.

1991 Harry and Carlene celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary; worship service at Chaddock. They were married June 19, 1941 in Chicago.

1992 Carlene and Harry received the Boy Scouts Distinguished Citizen Award, Carlene was named YWCA Woman of the Year.

Carlene & Harry received the Quincy Area Chamber of Commerce's Parker Gates Award.

1995 Carlene named as an Illinois Treasure by the Illinois Alliance for Aging

1996 Carlene & Harry inducted into the Quincy Notre Dame Hall of Fame

1997 Carlene & Harry inducted into the Quincy Catholic Youth Organization Hall of Fame

1998 Carlene & Harry inducted into the Quincy YMCA Hall of Fame

1999 Carlene & Harry received the Adams County United Way's Joe Bonansinga Award.

Carlene & Harry received the Culver Stockton Pillars Award.

2001 Carlene & Harry celebrated their 60th Anniversary through a series of community events: mass at St. Mary's Church, ice cream social at Chaddock, and special recognition at a Quincy Gem's Game, dedication of CYO's Harry Phillips Field, Sen. Laura Kent Donahue's Garden Party and a reception for Gov. George Ryan.

2003 Celebrated the 150th Anniversaries of Chaddock, Culver-Stockton College and the Quincy YMCA, including to receive one of the commemorative YMCA Bibles.

Named Appreciation for Generous Support

· The Geisler Lodge at the Wildwood Girl Scout Camp

· The Geisler's gave money to construct the building that houses the Quincy-Adams County Volunteer Emergency Corps.

· There's a Geisler scholarship at Culver Stockton College, as well as various campus projects where their names are honored. Carlene was named a Lifetime Member of Culver Stockton Board of Trustees.

· The Geisler Room at the Quincy Boy Scouts office in memory of their son, Edward, who was a Boy Scout; additional funds were given by several trucking companies in appreciation of the Geisler's contribution to the trucking industry and their overall contributions to the community; and, a cottage at the Saukenauk Scout Reservation bears their name.

The Harry and Carlene Geisler Little League Field at the YMCA honors their financial support to build and light the field, as well as to honor their many years of support for youth teams.

· The Harry and Carlene Geisler Pavilion at Chaddock honors their support for that specific student work-study project, as well as their constant support for Chaddock children. Grandma Geisler's Closet is named in honor of Carlene's efforts to establish a place where donated items are distributed to Chaddock boys and girls. For years Carlene volunteered many, many hours sorting and distributing items to students.

· The Geislers provided a scholarship for the Quincy Notre Dame Foundation and there are various tributes for their support of the St. Mary Catholic Church and School.

Carlene was preceded in death by her parents, a brother, a son and a grandson.

Funeral Services will be Monday, May 17, at 9:30 am in the Hansen-Spear Funeral Home and at 10:00 am in St. Mary's Catholic Church, Monsignor Michael Kuse officiating. The family will receive friends from 4-7 pm Sunday with wake services at 4 p.m. at the Hansen-Spear Funeral Home. Memorial contributions may be made to Chaddock School or Hospice of the Valley (Arizona).

Tributes