David R Geitgey, 86, played softball for the military and Wooster Lumber

David R Geitgey, 86, who died Thursday, August 20, 2009, at his home in Wooster, Ohio, played on the OISE (Overseas Invasion Service Expedition) All-Stars military softball team, whose baseball counterpart won the European Theater of Operations (ETO) “World Series” at the end of World War II.

Dave, who was attached to the 1st Engineer Brigade and landed at Omaha Beach on D-Day +1, played first base for the OISE All-Stars softball team that traveled throughout France to compete with other Armed Forces teams.

The games provided down-home entertainment for service men and women during the period between the end of the war in Europe and the Americans' return to the states. The matches also provided opportunities to Dave and other talented-but-not-professional ballplayers for playing with and against professional and semiprofessional athletes. As a bonus, the games introduced America’s favorite sport to Europeans.

As a civilian, Dave continued playing competitively with the Brenner Brothers fastpitch softball team, the City League Champions of 1946. He went on to play for Wooster Lumber from 1947-60.

Dave was born October 21, 1922, in Orrville, Ohio, to Roy and Eunice (Hackett) Geitgey. He graduated from Apple Creek High School in 1940.

He worked at Koppers in Orrville for 15 years and Wooster Iron and Metal for 31 years before he retired.

Dave played golf in leagues at Riceland and the College of Wooster. He also enjoyed playing bridge. He was a member of Trinity United Church of Christ.

He married Georgia Numbers on November 20, 1942. They were married 50 years before Georgia’s death in 1993. His second wife, the former June Smith, died in 2007. His brother, John Phillip Geitgey, and sister, Flora Geiser, also are deceased.

Survivors include his daughter, Linda (Gene) Houmard of Wooster; son, Ronald L. (Sue) Geitgey of Alvordton, Ohio; stepsons, Doug (Deb) Smith of Columbus, Ohio, and Denny (Phyllis) Smith of Wooster; grandchildren, Cody Geitgey of Alvordton and Carey (Shawn) Gorchenour of Toledo, Ohio; step-grandchildren, Doug (Dee) Houmard, Rod (Mary L.) Houmard of Wooster, Todd (Brenda) Houmard of Kenmore, Wash., and Beth Houmard of Nebraska; and brothers, Marion Geitgey and Fred (Jean) Geitgey of Florida.

Friends may call from 2-4 p.m. Sunday, August 23, 2009, at Roberts Funeral Home-Sherwood Chapel, 7067 Cleveland Road, Wooster, where services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, August 24, 2009.

Condolences and more: www.robertsfuneralhome.com.

This obituary was originally posted on ObitsOhio.com on Aug. 22, 2009.