James A. Geibel

His smile says it all. James A. Geibel, 60, of Rattigan Road, Chicora, went to be with the Lord and loved ones on March 23, 2017 at the VNA Hospice surrounded by loving family and friends. Jim fought a most courageous battle against a very brief illness with cancer.

Jim was born on March 8, 1957 to Mary Therese Knoll of Chicora and the late George A. Geibel.  He was a 1975 graduate of Karns City High School.

Everyone who knew Jim knew how he loved life. He loved family, meeting new friends, telling stories and was quite the entertainer. He has imparted his love for life to his children and grandchildren.

Jim enjoyed many hobbies; traveling, bicycling the rails to trails, oil wells, boating, hunting, and playing his guitar at home and camp. He loved to sing as loud as he could. He was an avid runner, completing the Pittsburgh marathon in May 2000 and many local 5k and 10k races. He continued his running regimen until November 21, 2016.

Jim enjoyed raising cattle. He was a meat cutter and was known to many as “Jimmy bologna” for his homemade bologna and deer jerky.  His other interests included real estate rentals and electrical work. There was always a new project to be started, always someone to help out.

He loved to talk to people and many strangers would become friends in an instant. He had a smile for everyone.

Jim and Donna had recently begun a new adventure as snow-birds in Daytona Beach, FL, where they enjoyed daily trips to the beach and their many friends. His voice will be missed at the karaoke nights where he was known for singing Frank Sinatra’s “My Way” and John Michael Montgomery’s “Sold”.

Jim had been employed for 37 years by the former Koppers Co., now Indspec in Petrolia.  He began his career on  April 6, 1977 and retired on April 6, 2014. His co-workers and their friendships were dear to him.

Jim had attended St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Sugarcreek and Brady’s Bend all his life, and served as an altar boy in his youth. He also would attend St. Paul’s in Butler and St. Paul’s Basilica in Daytona Beach.

He is survived by his wife and high school sweetheart, Donna Silverio Geibel.   The couple had been married at St. Patrick Church in Sugarcreek Twp. On May 14, 1977 and would have celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary this year.

Jim is survived by two children, Andrea, who resides in Valencia, with her husband David Bowser and their children, Christian and Sabine; his son, Brandon J. Geibel who resides in East Brady with his fiancée, Tara Early and their two children, Savanna and Maverick. Jim’s grandchildren will miss their “Laughy Pappy”.

In addition to his mother, Mary, he is also survived by his siblings, Karen Thompson and her husband, Ron, of Butler, Dennis Geibel and his wife, Dolly, of Chicora, George D. Geibel of Kittanning, and Elaine Peth and her husband, Ron, of Renfrew;  sisters-in-law, Pamela Croft of Butler, Anna Silverio of Chicora, Rose Silverio of Meadville, and brothers-in-law, Blaise Silverio and his wife, Catherine, of Waldorf, MD, and Chris Silverio and his wife, Andrea, of Chicora;  his father-in-law, Patsy Silverio of Butler, as well as a number  of nieces, nephews, cousins,  extended family, and many friends.

Jim was preceded in death by his father, George A. Geibel, who died on March 30, 2003 and his mother-in-law, Audrey Bump Silverio.

Friends will be received at the Hile Funeral Home of Chicora, 339 Chicora Fenelton Rd., Chicora, from 1 – 8 p.m. Sunday.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be concelebrated Monday at 11:00 a.m. from St. Patrick Roman Catholic Church, 915 SR 68, East Brady, with the Rev. John Butler, church pastor, and Jim’s uncle, The Rev. Lester Knoll, O.F.M., Cap., assisted by the Rev. Joseph Boomhower, pastor Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Chicora, and the Rev. Pete Sapp, pastor of Trinity Reformed Church, Brady’s Bend.  Interment will be private.  Memorial contributions may be made to The VNA Inpatient Hospice, 115 Technology Drive, Butler, PA 16001 or Butler Health System Medical Oncology, 129 Oneida Valley Rd., Butler, PA 16001. For additional information or to send a condolence, please visit www.hilefh.com.

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