Fr. Frank Geers, OFM

Franciscan Fr. Frank Geers, OFM, whose work and example impacted parishioners, young men discerning life with the friars, and those coping with addiction, died Jan. 21 at St. John the Baptist Friary in Sharonville, Ohio. He was 89 years old.

 

The son of Frank and Mary Schultz Geers, he born Oct. 25, 1931, in St. Bernard, Ohio. His schooling started at St. Clement Elementary and continued at St. Francis Seminary in Cincinnati. He made his first vows as a friar in 1950. After his solemn profession he attended Duns Scotus College in Southfield, Mich., Holy Family Theologate in Oldenburg, Ind., and St. Leonard College in Centerville, Ohio. Ordination in 1958 set him on a path to parish ministry, a path he followed for more than 35 years, aside from brief assignments in fund-raising and a year of continuing education.

 

Fr. Geers was relatable, candid and plain-spoken, qualities that served him well in assignments in the Southwest, the Deep South and the Midwest. Starting in 1959, he was an Associate Pastor in Streator, Ill., Peoria, Ill., Cincinnati, Ohio (St. Francis Seraph Parish), Southfield, Mich., Batesville, Ind., Chinle, Ariz., and Houma, La., and was a Pastor in New Orleans, La., and a Parish Administrator in Many Farms, Ariz. “I love variety,” he said last year, asked about his wide-ranging ministry.

 

One of his proudest accomplishments was long-term sobriety. Advising and supporting many over the years, he was an outspoken apostle for 12-step programs. “I have a sign on my wall [that says]: ‘Turn it over,’” he said in 2018. “When facing disappointments and difficulties, turn it over to the Lord. This does not mean only after you have tried your best and are still worried; it means turn it over from the get-go, then do your best with God’s grace.”

 

Fr. Geers entered a new phase of ministry in 1996 when he was asked to serve as Director of Postulants at St. Anthony Friary in Mt. Airy (Cincinnati), guiding men through a year of study and preparation before possible acceptance into the Franciscan Order. His influence on those he mentored lasted well beyond their time in the program. Fr. Geers retired in 2015, and last year moved to St. John the Baptist Friary when his health declined.

 

He was preceded in death by his parents and siblings and in-laws Bob Geers, Larry Risola and Robert Rumpke. He is survived by siblings and in-laws Dolores Geers Rumpke, Rosalie Geers Risola, Jim and Carol Geers, many nieces and nephews, great-nieces and nephews and great great-nieces and nephews.  A Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 10 a.m. on Jan. 27. Attendance is limited; the funeral will be livestreamed from the Facebook page of St. Clement Parish at

https://www.facebook.com/stclementcincinnati. Burial at St. Mary Cemetery in St. Bernard will follow immediately.  Memorial gifts may be made to FriarWorks, 1615 Vine St., Cincinnati, OH 45202.