Ralph P. Geisel, 755 Hasenflu Dr., Hermitage, passed away peacefully Monday morning (9-19-11) at his home with his family by his side. He was 86.

Mr. Geisel was born August 21, 1925 in what was then Hickory Township a son of the late Johnna and Katherina Schenker Geisel.

He was a lifelong Hermitage resident and attended Hickory schools.

Mr. Geisel retired as a die setter on January 1, 1987 from the former Sharon Tube Co. after 39 years of service.

He was a former member of Christ Lutheran Church and a member of the Bethlehem Presbyterian Church, both Sharon. He was also a member of the former Saxon Home, Farrell, and enjoyed the activities at the Shenango Valley Senior Center in Hermitage. Ralph was an avid bowler and participated in many leagues throughout the years at Thornton Hall Lanes, Sharon; Sunset Lanes, Farrell; and the Reynolds Bowling Lanes, Transfer. He will best be remembered by many as a coach in Hickory Little League where he was the manager for Timblin Murdoch and McDonald's baseball teams for eight years. He also managed the American League All Star Team for two years and spent many hours instructing youth on the fundamentals of the game. During the 1990's, he assisted his son, Gary, as a coach for the West Middlesex Girl's Softball team for four years. During his retirement, Ralph enjoyed gardening and attending his grandchildren's scholastic and athletic events.

His first wife, the former Mary Jane Smith, whom he married December 4, 1948, passed away September 25, 1996.

Surviving are: his second wife at home, the former Sandra Palumbo, whom he married March 24, 2001; three sons, Gary Geisel and his wife Janet, New Wilmington; William J. Geisel and his wife Janet, Hermitage; and Brian Geisel and his wife Joyce, S. Pymatuning Twp.; four grandchildren, Scott Geisel, Oakland, CA; Kelly Geisel, Columbus, Ohio; William G. Geisel and his wife Megan, Hermitage; and Jodi Geisel, also Hermitage; and a great grandson due in November. He also leaves three step-sons, Robert Palumbo and his wife Sherry, Anaheim, CA and their son Drew Shady, Phoenix, AZ; Brian Palumbo and his wife Carol Lee, and their children, Brittani Palumbo and PFC Dustin Palumbo; and Matt and Kate Cleland, all Burghill, Ohio; and MSGT Kevin Palumbo and his wife Heather and their children Justin, Hayley and Kendra Brooks, all Rapid City, S. Dakota; and several nieces and nephews.

Besides his parents and first wife, Ralph was preceded in death by a daughter, Judith Ann; two sisters, Emma Anderson and Anna Davidson; and four brothers, John, Andrew, William and Samuel Geisel.

The family suggests memorial contributions be made to Bethlehem Presbyterian Church, 710 Carnegie Ave., Sharon, PA 16146; or Family Hospice and Palliative Care, 1965 Shenango Valley Freeway, Suite # 2, Hermitage, PA 16148.

Calling hours will be from 4-7 p.m. Thursday (9-22-11) in J. Bradley McGonigle Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc., 1090 E. State St., Sharon.

Friends may email condolences by visiting www.McGonigleFuneralHomeandCrematory.com.

Funeral service will be 2:30 p.m. Friday (9-23-11) in the funeral home with Pastor Robbie Arnold of the Bethlehem Presbyterian Church, Sharon, officiating.

Interment: Morefield Cemetery, Hermitage.