Chad Giesige

Chad W. Giesige, 50, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, June 17, 2025 at the Cleveland VA Medical Center’s Hospice Unit surrounded by his family. Chad was born on February 20, 1975 in Defiance to Bill and Kathy (Schuller) Giesige. He was a 1993 graduate of Ayersville High School where he was later inducted into the Hall of Honor for his outstanding leadership and devotion to country.

In August 1993, Chad enlisted into the Air Force and went to San Antonio, Texas for Basic Training. After graduation from Basic, he completed two additional years of vigorous training and earned his red beret to become one of the most elite warriors of the U.S. Air Force – a Special Operations Combat Controller. Chad spent the next seven years stationed in England and Okinawa, Japan. During this time, he made multiple deployments in support of combat operations to Bosnia as well as Africa and Southeast Asia. He earned the distinguished honor of Combat Controller Airman of the Year in 1997. In the spring of 2002, he was selected to the premier Special Tactics Unit in the Air Force. Over the next three years, he deployed numerous times to Iraq and Afghanistan where he and his teammates were tasked with neutralizing Al Queda networks. For his actions in combat, Chad earned two Bronze Star Medals and various other accommodations. Unfortunately, in January 2005, Chad was injured in the line of duty in Iraq forcing an early retirement from the career he loved. Chad lived life to the fullest, craved adventure, and never refused a challenge. He traveled to many countries including Australia, Sweden, Thailand and Singapore; trekked to the Mount Everest Base Camp in Nepal; and even experienced the Running of the Bulls in Spain. Chad was also a Harley Davidson enthusiast and rode his Fat Boy across the United States visiting friends and family along the way.

Special thanks to Chad’s extended family at DPT for the time spent dedicated to his physical therapy and the countless laughs shared over the years. Chad’s family would also like to recognize and thank his extraordinary team of doctors at the Cleveland VA Medical Center and the wonderful nurses at Heroes Harbor Hospice, as well as his private nurse, Jessica Adams, who developed a special bond with him over the past seven years.

Chad is survived by his faithful mother, Kathy, and his three siblings: Rob (Karen) Giesige, Defiance, Angie (Steve) Kromenacker, Toledo, and Annette (Aaron) May, Dayton; and nieces and nephews: Tyler (Jane), Spencer, Kyle (Kennedy), Paige, Cadence; and one great-niece, Nora. He was preceded in death by his devoted father, Bill.

Family and friends will be received in the Zachrich Family Funeral Home, 114 William Street, Holgate on Thursday, 6/19/2025 from 2-8pm with the rosary being said at 1:30pm. Mass of Christian Burial will be on Friday at 10:30am in Sacred Heart Catholic Church, New Bavaria with Fr. Dave Tscherne officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery with military honors. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Cleveland Fisher House (greaterclevelandfisherhouse.org) that provided a place for the family to stay during Chad’s hospitalizations over the years or the New Bavaria VFW Post 8847 that has always shown its support for Chad and his sacrifice given for his country.