Submitted by: Dan Rich

Francis S. Giel

Dec. 31, 1907 - Jan. 5, 2008

South Bend Tribune 1/8/2008
SOUTH BEND - Francis S. Giel, 100, formerly of South Bend, died at 3:15 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 4, in the Catherine Kasper Life Center on the Ancilla College Campus, Donaldson. He was born Dec. 31, 1907, in Scottville, MI, to George and Amelia (Seitz) Giel.

On May 17, 1947, in South Bend he married Theresa M. Kagel who preceded him in death on Jan. 18, 1994. Also preceding him in death were sisters, Cecelia, Margaret, Clara and Leona; and brother, Louis. Surviving Francis are two daughters, Mary (Tim) Eckerle of Marion, IN, and Rita (John) Reust of South Bend; two sons, Robert (Stevie) Giel of Elkhart and Frederick (Karen) Giel of Ridgefield, CT. Also surviving are 11 grandchildren, Christina (Bill) Hardin, Kathleen (Tom Alessi, fiancé) Giel, Courtney (Jim Flynn, fiancé) Giel, Susan (Ross) Stanforth, Matthew Eckerle, Carlene Reust, Thomas Eckerle, Katelyn Reust, Patrick Eckerle, Jonathan Giel and Valerie Reust; and a great-grandchild, Andrew Hardin. Francis also leaves behind a brother-in-law, Fred (Katherine) Kagel; and many nieces and nephews. Francis retired in 1972 from South Bend Supply after 33 years of service. He was an Army veteran of World War II, a member of the Holy Cross Church and VFW Post 8748.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 10 in Holy Cross Catholic Church (corner of Wilber and Vasser), South Bend. Interment will follow at Highland Cemetery. Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 9 in HICKEY Funeral Home, 17131 Cleveland Road, South Bend, where a Rosary will be said at 7 p.m. Memorials for Francis may be made to Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ c/o Ancilla College, P.O. Box 1, Donaldson, IN or to Holy Cross Church, 920 Wilbur Street, South Bend, IN.