Author: Ben Bachrach

Fireworks Injuries

Florida saw a number of fireworks-related injuries during the 2025 Fourth of July celebrations, with several incidents reported across the state:

Hillsborough County: Multiple people suffered devastating injuries, including a 10-year-old boy who required surgery after shrapnel pierced his chest. Two others experienced partial or full hand amputations, and several had damaged eardrums

Water Pressure Problem Solved

Steve Gottfried reported solving a water pressure issue at his home.

He contacted Lee County Utilities at 239-533-8845.

Lee County Utilities promptly came out and ran a pressure check. It read 38 psi which is in tolerance and checked a few things. The man from Lee County Utilities told Steve to run all the faucets and showers for about 5 minutes to purge any air out of the system.

He also flushed the nearest fire hydrant to make sure there were no blockages.

Henry Geise – RIP

Henry Bernard Geise, age 87, of Quincy, IL and a former resident of Estero, FL, passed away December 1, 2023, at home in Quincy. Henry was born April 3, 1936, at St. Mary’s Hospital in Quincy, IL. He was the son of Bernard Henry and Violet Marie (Wabel) Geise. Henry was the oldest of 4 children and the only son.

He loved to tell people about how he dated many girls in his teens, but after his first date with Jill Groves, he knew he had found “the one”. Henry and Jill were married on August 6, 1960, at Quincy College Chapel. They celebrated 63 years of marriage this year.

Henry attended St. Boniface Grade School and was a 1954 graduate of Christian Brothers High School.

He graduated from Quincy College in 1959 with a degree in Accounting. After graduation, he went to Chicago and worked for Lybrand, Ross Brothers, and Montgomery, while living with his Uncle Glen Wabel and wife Bernadine. Jill graduated from Quincy College in 1960 and after she and Henry married that August, they moved to Elmhurst, Il. Henry continued to work for Lybrand and Jill taught kindergarten.

In 1961, Henry decided to enter Law School at the University of Illinois in Champaign. He graduated from Law School in 1963 and he and Jill moved back to Quincy where Henry joined his father-in-law (Chester Groves) in his law practice.

Henry was also in the U.S. Army Reserves, he served 6 months active duty at Fort Leonard Wood, MO in 1960; he received an honorable discharge from the Army for medical reasons.

Henry was a lawyer in private practice in Quincy for nearly 60 years. In the early years, he also taught Business Law classes in the evenings at Quincy College.

He was also appointed Quincy City Attorney, a position that he held for a number of years. It was during his tenure as City Attorney that he formed many friendships with the employees at City Hall.

Henry was owner/President of Maid Rite Sandwich Shop and the former Maid Rite East Sandwich Shop. In his younger years, he could often be found working behind the counter making Maid Rites or outside cleaning up the parking lot. He was a very “hands-on” owner who took pride in being involved in the day-to-day running of the business. He never shied away from hard work.

Henry looked forward to the 100-year anniversary of Maid Rite, which will be in 2028.

The family plans to celebrate that milestone in his honor. And, no, Blessing Hospital has not purchased the Maid Rite!!

Henry possessed a calm demeanor and had a wonderful sense of humor.

For many years, he acted as emcee at the Beaux Arts Ball, a role that suited his affable personality.

He and Jill have a group of lifelong friends that are like family to them, he loved those friends dearly.

Henry’s wife Jill, and his family meant the world to him. Everything he did was for them and to ensure they were well taken care of. His grandchildren especially were his pride and joy. He treasured time spent with them, especially their family trips to Florida, Colorado, and Lake of the Ozarks.

Henry loved the outdoors and spent countless hours working on projects and fishing at “the Cabin.” His legacy there will be carried out by Mike and Caiden.

In addition to spending time with family, Henry loved to golf and spent many hours on the golf course with his buddies at QCC and Pelican Sound. He also enjoyed playing cards with the guys.

He often expressed that he had lived a great life and was thankful for the many opportunities afforded to him. His life was only made better by the existence of chocolate chip cookies, he never met one that he didn’t like!!

Henry was of the Catholic faith and attended Our Lady of Light Catholic Church in Ft. Myers, FL and the Church of St. Peter in Quincy.

In addition to his wife Jill, survivors include their two children: a son, Michael Geise and a daughter, Lisa Knuffman and her husband Bryan; grandchildren, Taylor Knuffman and her fiancé Payton Welch and Caiden Geise and his significant other Payten Rice, all of Quincy. A bonus granddaughter, Destiny Aden, of Provo, UT. Henry’s sisters, Judy Talken of Quincy; Linda Hilgenbrink of Bridgeton, MO and Debbie Steeples and her husband Robert of Quincy.

Several nieces and nephews, along with their spouses and children also survive.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers-in-law, Rich Hilgenbrink and Don Talken; and a nephew, Mark Talken.

A Memorial Mass was held Tuesday, December 12, 2023 at the Church of St. Peter with Rev. Zach Samples officiating.

Memorials are suggested to Quincy Medical Group Dialysis Patient Assistance Fund, Blessing Rieman College of Nursing, or to Blessing Foundation for Hospice.

Messages may be shared online at http://www.dukerandhaugh.com?

Jill Geise – RIP

Jill Camille Geise, age 84, of Quincy, IL and a former resident of Estero, FL, passed away peacefully and surrounded by her family, on October 19, 2024, at Blessing Hospital in Quincy, IL. She was the daughter, and only child of Chester Aubrey Groves and Elizabeth (Bowman) Groves.

Jill grew up in Quincy and attended Webster Grade School, followed by Quincy Junior High School. She graduated from Quincy Senior High School in 1957, and remained close friends, throughout her life, with a number of her classmates. Jill went on to graduate from Quincy College in 1960 with a degree in Elementary Education.

Jill met, and began dating the love of her life, Henry B. Geise, when she was just 16 years old. She was just shy of her 21st birthday when she and Henry married on August 6, 1965, at the Quincy College Chapel. Jill and Henry enjoyed 63 years of marriage. He preceded her in death in December of 2023.

After getting married, Jill and Henry moved to Elmhurst, IL and Jill taught kindergarten in the Elmhurst/Glen Ellyn area. In 1961, they moved to Champaign, IL and Jill taught kindergarten there while Henry attended Law School. They returned to Quincy in 1963 and Jill taught for a short while before she and Henry started their family. Jill loved being a teacher and often shared stories about her “kids.”

After the birth of their children, Jill was a stay-at-home mom and devoted her life to raising Mike and Lisa and being an active participant in Henry’s many endeavors! After the opening of Maid Rite East, Jill could often be found helping out at the restaurant, especially keeping the salad bar filled up and clean as a whistle!

Jill was happiest when she was spending time with her family; her husband, children, and grandchildren were her whole world. Being a mom was just a “warm-up” for her for the big game, which was being a grandma; her grandkids lovingly referred to her as Nannie. She loved being a grandma and was so proud of her grandkids. She was an integral part of their upbringing and enjoyed attending their activities. Jill provided unconditional love to her family, she was a great listener, and always gave the best advice.

We are not exactly sure who is going to worry about us now that she is gone!

Jill’s favorite pastimes included playing golf, traveling, taking out-of-town shopping trips, taking long walks, and Thursday nights out with friends. In her younger years, she was involved with the Madison School PTA and was a Brownie Scout leader. She was also previously a member of the Quincy Service League. She and Henry were lifelong members of Quincy County Club.

We would be remiss if we did not mention Jill’s lifelong friend group. You all know who you are and you were all “family” in her mind. Thank you for loving her and including her always. The memories are epic and endless.

Jill was of the Catholic faith and attended Our Lady of Light Catholic Church in Ft. Myers, FL and the Church of St. Peter in Quincy.

Survivors include: a son, Michael Geise, and a daughter Lisa Knuffman and her husband Bryan; grandchildren, Taylor Knuffman and her fiancé Payton Welch, and Caiden Geise and his longtime girlfriend Payten Rice, all of Quincy. A bonus granddaughter, Destiny Aden, resides in Lehi, UT. Sisters-in-law, Judy Talken of Quincy; Linda Hilgenbrink of Bridgeton, MO; Debbie Steeples and her husband Robert of Quincy. Several nieces and nephews, along with their spouses and children also survive.

Jill was preceded in death by her husband, Henry, her parents and a very special aunt, Camille Landis.

The family would like to extend special thanks to Christie Bliven, Susie Calkins, Betsey Hobbs, Patti Capps, Jodi Bliven, Jami Musolino and Toni Veals for the love and care they provided to Jill, especially over the past several months of her life. It was because of them that she was able to remain living in her own home, where she most wanted to be. To us you will always be “Team Geise.”

Also, a special thanks to the nurses and staff of Blessing ER, ICU, and most especially 6-North for the exceptional care and compassion that they provided to Jill during the final three days of her life.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Tuesday, October 29, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. at the Church of St. Peter with Rev. Zach Samples officiating.

Visitation will be Tuesday, October 29, 2024, from 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. at the Church. Inurnment will be at Greenmount Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to Quincy Medical Group Foundation, Blessing Rieman College of Nursing, or to 6th Floor North at Blessing Hospital.

Service arrangements are with Duker & Haugh Funeral Home. Messages may be shared online at www.dukerandhaugh.com.

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