Josephine Geels, 88, of Fort Smith, passed away on Wednesday, November 23, 2022. She was born on December 22, 1933 in Subiaco to the late Conrad and Leonora (Bartsch) Muehlegg. Josie, as she was known to her family and friends, was a bookkeeper for the family business, Geels Lumber and a homemaker. She was a member of Christ the King Catholic Church, where she was a member of the Women’s Circle. Later in life, her and her husband Harold were involved with the Dervish Club and loved to ballroom dance together. They also were members of the Century Club. In addition to her parents, Josie was preceded in death by her husband, Harold John Geels; a daughter, Cindy Bagby; two sisters, Delores Verkamp and Mary Jane Muehlegg and a brother, Sylvester Muehlegg.
There will be a visitation starting at 5:30 PM on Thursday, December 1, 2022 with the Rosary to follow at 6:30 PM, at Edwards Funeral Home Chapel. The Funeral Mass will be private, interment will be at Holy Cross Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of Edwards Funeral Home of Fort Smith.
She is survived by two sons, Jim Geels (Angel) of Fort Smith and Mike Geels (Annette) of Jackson, TN; sister, Lenora Mainard of Charleston; five grandchildren, Elyse Pollock (Jacob) of Nashville, TN, Bryce Geels of Bentonville, Madison Hanna (Noah), Annalee Geels and Ben Bagby, all of Fort Smith.
The family would like to extend sincere gratitude to the staff of the Brookdale Memory Care Unit that treated Josie with such kindness and compassion over the past 4 ½ years.
Memorial contributions may be made to Trinity Middle School, 1205 South Albert Pike Avenue, Fort Smith, AR 72903 or go to www.thinktrinity.org or to the Golden Rule Clothes Closet, 212 North 3rd Street, Fort Smith, AR 72901.
To view the online guestbook, please go to www.edwardsfuneralhome.com
