Wilbur Geiselman Family  

The Geiselman family and Sickman families of German descent migrated from Pennsylvania to Ohio and then to this area in Indiana

Forrest I. Geiselman the son of Silas and Sarah E. Kitch Geiselman, was born February 9, 1888 in Starke county and died January 15, 1968.

Pearl Rae Sickman daughter of Philip and Amanda Burket Sickman was born April 4, 1890 in Marshall county and died January 27, 1971. Forrest and Pearl Geiselman are both buried in the Culver Masonic Cemetery.

Forrest Geiselman and Pearl Sickman were united in marriage September 9, 1911. They were the parents of five children: Opal May, Wilbur Ralph , Forrest Jr. and Dolye.

I, Wilbur, the second child of Forrest and Pearl Geiselman was born February 18, 1915 at Kewanna and lived in Kewanna and Lake Bruce the next 12 years, attending school at Kewanna thru the sixth grade.

In 1927 the family moved to Culver where my father purchased a grocery store and meat market known as the Corner Market.

In 1927 I entered the Culver School System and graduated in 1933. While in school I participated in Hi-Y, Glee Club, student council and all sports. As a freshman I was a member of the basketball B-team that played the first game in the present Culver Community Junior High gymnasium on dedication night in December 1 929. I was also a member of the undefeated basketball team in the reg ular season in 1930-1931.

While in seventh grade I first met my future wife to by Myra Wagoner, daughter of Noah H. Wagoner and Nettie Lichtenberger Wagnoner. We were friends through high school and were married in 1936.

Our son Larry E. Geiselman, was born October 13, 1936. He graduated from Culver High School in 1954. He then joined the United States army and served two years in the 82nd airborne Division. He attended Indiana University and now lives and works in Fort Wayne.

Our daughter Sue Ann Geiselman Bendy, married to David M. Bendy and l ives in Culver . They have four children: Lori Sue, James D.; Daniel J. and Thomas L. Bendy.

I worked in my father's store until it was closed during "The Great Depression". After many odd jobs I worked at Kingsbury Ordnance Plant during World War II, as timekeeper and in machine accounting. After the end of the war I worked in machine accounting at the Studebaker Corporation for 19 years until the corporation discontinued the manufacturing of automobiles.

After my Studebaker years I was employed by Rockwell International in quality control until my retirement September 1, 1977.

Some of my fondest memories are the summer months at Lake Bruce, traveling to Culver in a Model T, commuting on the train known as the "Doodle Bug" (Vandalia Railroad), and the excellent hunting, fishing and swimming before the advent of the high powered boats.

I was a witness to the bank robbery of the State Exchange Bank of Culver in 1933 and the robbery of the South Bend Bank in 1934 by the Dillinger gang.

I was a spectator at a "Whistle Stop" speech given by Harry W. Truman and also a parade for Dwight D. Eisenhower during their presidential campaigns.

In 1932 I attended the world series in Chicago, Illinois when Babe Ruth of the New York Yankee's supposedly pointed a home run hit off a pitch by Charlie Root of the Cubs.

My wife and I live in Culver on a high hill on the west shore of Lake Maxinkuckee where we are enjoying our retirement. - Wilbur Geiselman. History of Marshall County Indiana Sesquicentennial 1836 - 1986 -, Taylor Publishing Co., 1986, Publication # 357 of 1422, Marshall County Historical Society pg. 178

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Myrna Wagoner Geisleman

I Myra Elizabeth Wagoner Geisleman, was born in the Mt. Hope neighborhood Aubbenaubbee township, F ulton county on July 30, 1914. My parents were Noah H. Wagoner, January 5, 1881-September 22, 1949 and Nettie M. Lichtenberger-Wagoner January 2, 1885-Dec 15, 1970. Both parents are buried in the Culver Masonic Cemetery.

In 1920 my parents purchased a farm and moved the family to the Zion community, southwest of Culver in Union Township, Marshall County.

My brother, William R.; my sister Alice Erma (Spurlock); and I walked approximately one and one-fourth miles on a gravel road to attend the one-room Kaley School. Eight grades were taught in the one-room by one teacher. While attending Kaley school, my teachers were Ruby Schrock (first grade), Nellie Sively (Mikesell, (Second grade); Ellen Wickizer, (third and fourth grades) and Florence Page (fifth grade). This was the first year Mis Page taught school, I went to the sixth grade in Culver and my teacher was Conrad Mattox. In hogh school, I participated in Student Council, Glee CLub, class play, operetta, and various class activities. I graduated from Culver High School May 19, 1933. Our senior class enjoyed a trip to the 1933 World's Fair in Chicago, Illinois.


After graduation I worked in the high school office for three years. Mr. Floyd M. Annis was the school principal. I also worked at Culver Military Academy for 25 years prior to my retirement September 1, 1979.

My husband Wilbur Geisleman, and I have one son Larry E. and one daughter, Sue Ann Geiselman Bendy.

Sue and her husband, David M. Bendy, have four children; Lori Sue; James David, Daniel Jay and Thomas Lee Bendy. - Mary Elizabeth Wagoner Geisleman. - -History of Marshall county, Indiana 1836 – 1986 Copyright 1986 by Marshall County Historical Society, Inc. pg. 178

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Larry Eugene Geiselman BIRTH 13 Oct 1936 Plymouth, Marshall County, Indiana DEATH 27 Feb 2005 Fort Wayne, Allen County, Indiana BURIAL Masonic Cemetery Culver, Marshall County, Indiana Larry E. Geiselman, 68, of Fort Wayne, Indiana, died at 9:55 AM on Sunday, February 27, 2005, at Kingston Care Center, Fort Wayne. Larry served in the US Army, 82nd Airborne. Larry was born on October 13, 1936, to Wilbur and Myra (Wagoner) Geiselman at Plymouth, Indiana. He is survived by his loving sister: Sue Bendy of Culver, Indiana; niece: Lori Bendy of Indianapolis, Indiana; and nephews: James (Susan) Bendy of South Bend, Indiana, Daniel (Lisa) Bendy of Avon, Indiana, and Thomas (Wendi) Bendy of Culver, Indiana.