Joseph F. Giesting's Obituary
Joseph F. Giesting, age 89 of Batesville, died Tuesday, August 4, 2015 at Christ Hospital in Cincinnati. Born March 31, 1926 in Franklin County Indiana, he is the son of Catherine (Nee: Harpring) and Joseph H. Giesting. He married Anna Mae Lux October 20, 1951 at Sacred Heart Church in Indianapolis and she preceded him in death November 24, 1990. On March 12, 1994 he married Rita Raver at Holy Family Church in Oldenburg. Joe served in the Navy during World War II and after the service he would come back home to farm. He was a member of the New Salem Lions Club, the Batesville V.F.W. Post #3183 and the Prell-Bland American Legion Post #271.
Joe was fortunate that his passion and his job were one in same. He loved farming. Other interests included American history, playing pinochle and poker as well as Louie L'Amour and Zane Grey cowboy novels. Baseball was Joe's second passion. He played baseball and fast pitch softball into his 40's before hanging up his cleats and was a avid lifelong Reds fan. He had a weakness for pie and watermelon and while he hated interstates, he enjoyed taking rides in the country. The more crooked and remote the road, the better.
Joe is survived by his wife Rita; daughters Mary Pollman of Nashville, Tennessee, Elizabeth Giesting of Honolulu, Hawaii, Janet Lewis of Cary, North Carolina, Julie Giesting of Indianapolis; stepdaughters Lisa Struewing of Batesville, Sandra Cameron of Lansing, Michigan; sons Tom Giesting of Rushville, Indiana, Donald Giesting of Minnetonka, Minnesota; stepson Jeffrey Grieshop of Batesville; sisters Pauline Gillman of Harrison, Ohio, Cleopha Hirt of Batesville, Rosemary Stercz of Cincinnati; fourteen grandchildren and five great grandchildren. In addition to his wife Anna Mae and his parents, he is also preceded in death by stepson Tim Grieshop; sister Edna Sidell and brothers Leonard, Frank, John, Virgil and Arnold Giesting.
Visitation is Sunday, August 9th, from 1 - 4 p.m. at the funeral home with a rosary service at 1 p.m. On Monday, August 10th, visitation will be held from 10 - 11 a.m. at St. Mary's Church in Rushville. Funeral services follow at 11 a.m. with Rev. Jeremy Gries officiating and burial in Calvary Cemetery. The family requests memorials to St. Mary's Church or Holy Family Capital Improvement Fund.
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