James L. Geels

James L. “Jim” Geels, 86, of Decatur, passed away on Tuesday, July 23, 2024, at Parkview Hospital Randallia. Jim was born in Bluffton, IN, on January 31, 1938, the son of Lawrence and Gertrude (Baker) Geels. On October 24, 1959, he married Janice Titus.

He was a parishioner of St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church and was the last surviving member of St. Vincent DePaul’s original chapter.

Jim worked as a Mechanical Engineer at Textron for over 30 years. He also served as a United States Airforce Cadet.

He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Janice Geels of Decatur; children, Michael (Kristine) Geels and Christopher (Joyce) Geels both of Monroe, IN, Laurie (Eugene) Grote of Decatur, IN, Leann (Gary) Granell of Tennessee, Erica (Mark) Dieden and Melissa (James) Blazek both of Illinois, Matthew (Angela) Geels of Missouri; 2 sisters; 16 grandchildren; 12 great grandchildren.

Visitation will be from 3:00 – 7:00 p.m. on Friday, July 26, 2024, at Haggard-Hirschy & Zelt Funeral Home, with a reciting of the Holy Rosary at 2:30 p.m.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, July 27, 2024, at St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church with visitation 1 hour prior to the Mass from 9:00 – 10:00 a.m. in the St. Mary’s Parish Hall. Father Stephen Colchin will be presiding and burial will follow in St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to St. Vincent DePaul or St. Joseph Catholic School.

Arrangements were Entrusted to Haggard-Hirschy & Zelt Funeral Home

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