Visitation: 9:00 AM - 8:00 PM Thursday, October 8th, 2015 - Billings Funeral Home
Funeral: 2:00 PM Friday, October 9th, 2015 = Billings Funeral Home Chapel
Interment: Friday, October 9th, 2015 = Gnadenfeld Cemetery Charles J. Gieswein, 74 year old Woodward resident and former Woodward Fire Chief, died Monday, October 5, 2015 at his home in Woodward. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 pm Friday, October 9, 2015 in the Billings Funeral Home Chapel with Reverend Donnetta Hunter officiating. Interment will follow in Gnadenfeld Cemetery.
Charles Jacob Gieswein was born on September 5, 1941 in Woodward, Oklahoma to Jacob and Leona Mae (Burke) Gieswein. Charles was reared in Woodward, attended Woodward schools and graduated from Woodward High School in 1959. After graduation Charles enlisted in the United States Navy on July 16, 1960. While in the Navy he served as a Project Manager on several ships. He was Honorably Discharged on November 16, 1962 and returned to Woodward. Charles then began his career as a Fire Fighter with the Woodward Fire Department. He worked his way up through the ranks over the next 25 years, and was named Fire Chief in 1982. Charles retired as Chief in 1987.
After retiring Charles was able to spend time traveling and fishing with his friends, and mother. Leona accompanied him on several trips and made many memories with her son. After his mother’s death Charles continued to travel from the East Coast to the West Coast fishing and site seeing.
He is survived by one sister, Betty Bookless of Dalhart, TX; one brother, Robert Gieswein of Melbourne, FL; nieces; nephews; and many friends.
Charles was preceded in death by his parents, and one brother; Jerry.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the Woodward Fire Department with the funeral home accepting the contributions.