Harriette Geisinger

Harriette R. Geisinger, 89, a former resident of Ashland and New Philadelphia, Ohio died Tuesday, January 26, 2016, in Aultman Hospital at Canton following complications from a fall.

The daughter of the late Herbert E. and Geraldine (Peck) Russell of Akron, Harriette graduated from Coventry High School as member of the National Honor Society.

While at Coventry, she excelled as the school’s drum majorette. She graduated from Kent State University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Physical Education. She was a member of Gamma Phi Beta and Theta Sigma Upsilon sororities. She was active in women’s sports and outdoor activities during her high school and college years excelling as a lifeguard, camp counselor, and director.

She spent much of her time with her family during summers at Camp Mudjekeewis, forerunner to Camp Y-Noah, when the camp was getting started, and was a member of the staff at the Great Lakes Camp For Girls at Erie, PA.

Mrs. Geisinger taught Physical Education at Ashland High School for three years and was a faculty member at Ashland University for 10 years. While at the then Ashland College, she initiated women’s major courses in physical education and initiated the college’s women’s intercollegiate sports in volleyball and basketball. Mrs. Geisinger was a 2002 recipient of an honorary sports brick at Ashland University campus as being a women’s athletics sports coach and instructor.

Mrs. Geisinger was active in golf and tennis activities at Ashland Country Club and Union Country Club at Dover; participating in numerous golf and tennis tournaments. In Dover, she was a member of the Union Hospital Auxiliary. In Ashland, she was a Cub Scout Den Mother and participated in regional flower shows. Throughout her life, she enjoyed creating paper greeting cards and rubber stamping crafts; having taught rubber stamping at Marco Island for 10 years.

She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, a grandson, two great-grandchildren, and a brother.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Russell E. Geisinger, in 2010.

Visitation will be held on Friday, January 29, 2016 from 12:30-1:30 PM in the Linn-Hert-Geib Funeral Home & Crematory at New Philadelphia. Pastor Mick Foster will lead a service celebrating Harriette’s life in the funeral home’s chapel on Friday at 1:30 PM. Burial alongside her husband, will follow in the Evergreen Burial Park at New Philadelphia.

The family requests memorial contributions be directed to The Alzheimer’s Association, 408 9th St SW, Canton, OH 44707 or to a charity of the donor’s choice.