Joseph William Giesken

Burlington Junction, Missouri

Joseph William Giesken, 94, Burlington Junction, Missouri, died, August 1, 2012, at his home in Burlington Junction, Missouri.

Joe was born November 10, 1917, at Oxford, Missouri near Parnell, Missouri to Joseph Bernard and Lula Belle Hawk Giesken.

He was married to Virgie (Heathco) Giesken and to this union two daughters were born, Mary Frances and Mary Jolene.

He was in the US Army from March of 1942 to October of 1945 serving in numerous battles in the South Pacific during World War II.

A farmer all his life, Joe was also a member of the St. Benedict Catholic Church and Rolla Dicks American Legion Post #315 both of Burlington Junction, Missouri.

Preceding him in death were his parents; daughter Mary Frances Giesken; four brothers John, James, George and Thomas Giesken; three sisters Doris Wynn, Agnes Giesken, Mary Gallagher.

Survivors include daughter Jolene (Jerry) Downing, Burlington Junction; four grandchildren Jerod (Jennifer) Downing, Burlington Junction, Verlena (Micah) Coston, Maryville, Missouri, James (Karamaneh) Downing, Burlington Junction, Valyssa Downing, Burlington Junction and Fiance' Tyler Stark, Lawson, Missouri; eight great grandchildren Imajen and Lyric Downing, Jolyssa, Jerrica, Joel and Judah Coston, Journee and Lula Downing; one sister Monica (Willie) Zirfas, Maryville; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Visitation is 9:30 AM to 10:30 AM, Saturday, August 4, 2012, at St. Benedict Catholic Church, Burlington Junction. A family rosary will be said at 9:30 AM prior to the visitation. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 AM, Saturday, August 04, 2012. Burial will be in St Joseph's Cemetery, Parnell, Missouri.

Memorials may be made to SSM Hospice at St. Francis.