Geiger - Orville - WWII
ORVILLE GEIGER
Source: obituary in a scrapbook from a collection of Fauniel Hershberger's typed by Walt W dated 1945
Pfc. Orville M. Geiger, 23 years of age, was drowned in Germany on July 15, according to a message from the War Department that came Friday to his wife, Mrs. Reba Barker Geiger, west of New Richmond. No details with regard to his death were contained in the message. Mrs. Geiger and their two children, William Allen, three years old, and Judith Kay, 19 months old, were living with his mother, Mrs. Ida Geiger, while he was overseas. Pfc. Geiger entered the service March 17, 1944. At the time he was employed as an inspector in the Aluminum Plant in Lafayette. He left for overseas duty August 6, 1944. Pfc. Geiger landed in England. Later he saw action as an infantryman in France, Belgium and Germany. Pfc. Geiger was wounded in action in Germany January 5, 1945, and was confined in an army hospital overseas until April. He had received the Purple Heart award. Previously serving in the infantry, he was transferred to limited service duty with the army air forces, following his release from the hospital. Since the close of the war he had been stationed on duty at Bremerhaven, in Germany. Pfc. Geiger was born in Jackson township, Tippecanoe county, February 22, 1922. He was graduated from the Romney high school with the class of 1940. In high school he was a popular basketball player. Pfc. Geiger was married to the former Reba Barker, August 23, 1941. The widow and their two children survive, in addition to his mother, two sisters and three brothers. Sisters are Mrs. Clyde Bradley of Wingate and Mrs. Leland Axsorn, of Crawfordsville. The three brothers—Floyd Marris and Roy Geiger—reside near New Richmond. Pfc. Geiger was a member of the Romney Methodist church. - kbz