John H. Giesler

John H. Giesler, 65, of Mason City, passed away at Memorial Medical Center in Springfield at 3:35 a.m. on Friday, April 13, 2018. He was born December 22, 1952, in Shelbyville, IL, to Glen W. and Lela Caroline (Noffke) Giesler. He married Mardell Habing-Thomas on June 20, 1980, in Shelbyville.
Coach Giesler is survived by his wife, Mardell, of Mason City; four children: Shane (Tiara) Thomas of New Holland, IL, Chad (Jamie) Giesler of Jacksonville, IL, Lance (Laural) Giesler of Bath, IL, and Lindy Giesler of Mason City; ten grandchildren; brother, Donald “Bill” (Sue) Giesler of St. Charles, MO, and sister, Janet (Jim) Arthur of Stewardson, IL. He is preceded in death by his parents, brother, James Giesler and sister, Jean Ashbaugh.
Coach was a member of Christ Lutheran Church in Mason City. He was a former teacher and coach at Trinity Lutheran School in Stewardson, Stewardson-Strasburg High School, Roanoke-Benson High School and Illini Central High School in Mason City until his retirement in 2014. He later was an assistant basketball coach at Lincoln College in 2015 and 2016. Throughout his career, John coached baseball, golf, softball and basketball. During his coaching career, John lead the 2012 Illini Central High School Cougars basketball team to a 3rd place 1A state finish and the 2013 Illini Central High School Cougars basketball team to 1A State Championship. He was also inducted, in 2018, a few days before his passing, into the IBCA Hall of Fame.
Visitation will be held at Hurley Funeral Home in Mason City on Saturday, April 21, 2018, from 1:00 until 5:00 p.m. Funeral services will be held in the Illini Central High School Gymnasium at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, April 22, 2018. Burial will follow the services at Mason City Cemetery. Rev. John Johnson will officiate. A memorial reception will be held at Jackson-Keen Legion Post in Mason City following the graveside services.
Memorial contributions may be made to the John Giesler Memorial Fund, which will be used for medical expenses, his daughter’s college education fund, and The John Giesler Basketball Scholarship Fund. Online memorial messages may be left for the family at www.hurleyfh.com.
Hurley Funeral Home in Mason City is in charge of arrangements.