Dale Geiger

Dale E. Geiger, 78, of rural Columbia City, passed away at 4:34 a.m. on Friday, February 17, 2012, at Manatee Memorial Hospital in Bradenton, Fl., where he spent his winters. Mr. Geiger was born on December 11, 1933, in Columbia City, a son of Clifton J. "Jake" and Irene (Krider) Geiger. He spent his formative years in rural Columbia City all within a mile of his current residence. He lived at his current residence since 1965 and had been a dairy farmer for 17 years. He was also a grain farmer until he retired at the age of 70. On January 18, 1958, he was married in Decatur to Janice Irene Owen. Mr. Geiger was a member of Sugar Grove Church of God, Churubusco, and the FFA of Whitley County. He enjoyed fixing old John Deer Tractors in his older years. He was the Bicycle Man of Florida. He would buy and fix old bikes to resell. His spouse preceded him in death on August 31, 2009. The surviving relatives include a daughter Debra (Phil) Gebert; a son Dalen (April) Geiger both of Columbia City; three sisters Helen Blanchard of North Manchester, Mary Sutton of Huntertown, and Shirley Rugg of Lagrange; a brother Charles "Chic" Geiger of Churubusco; three granddaughters Brelle (Brandon) Bridge, Bralen Gebert, and Brittany Geiger; a grandson Colton Geiger; a great-granddaughter Ella Bridge. He was preceded in death by his parents Clifton J. "Jake" and Irene (Krider) Geiger; a brother Guy Geiger in 1970; three brothers-in-law Robert Blanchard, Herb Sutton, and Jack Rugg; a sister-in-law Dottie Geiger. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 AM Tuesday at Sugar Grove Church of God, with Pastor Timothy Grable, officiating. The family will receive friends at the Sheets & Childs Funeral Home from 3:00 pm to 8:00 pm Monday, or one hour prior to the service. Burial will be in the Eel River Cemetery, Allen County. For those who wish, memorials may be directed to Sugar Grove Church of God.