Reuben Geistweidt, of Doss, passed away on Thursday, July 6, at the age of 94. He was born at home on the family ranch in Mason County on December 27, 1922 and lived in the same house his entire life. His parents were Wesley John Geistweidt and Bertha Evers Geistweidt.

Reuben had a hard life. His father passed away when he was 14. As the oldest child, he had to not only be the big brother, but also a father to his brother and sister. Reuben started school at the Onion Creek school, riding 3 miles and opening 7 gates and then at the Doss School before graduating high school in Mason as part of the class of 1941. On June 3, 1956 he married Doris Hardin in the Mason Methodist Church.

Reuben stayed on the ranch and did all the work. He first plowed with horses before he had a tractor. In the drought of the 50's he burned prickly pear in the heat to provide food for the sheep, cattle and goats. He enjoyed his livestock and he was a lover of the land. He also helped his children with their stock show animals.

Reuben was a member of the Mason county Soil and Water Conservation District #223 for 36 years, serving as chairman most of those years. He worked as a carpenter and was a Market Inspector for the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association for 31 years (the longest anyone has held that position). He was a life-long Methodist and served as Lay Leader of the Hilda Church for more than 20 years. He loved to hunt and fish and loved to tell stories about his hunting and fishing experiences.

Mr. Geistweidt is survived by his wife Doris Geistweidt, of Doss, 4 children; Stephen Geistweidt and Diana Moravits of San Antonio, Pamela Weaver and fiancé' Clyde Rieson of Harper, Jan Williams and husband Duke of Burnet, David Geistweidt and wife Amy of Comfort, 18 grandchildren: Jessica Latham (Jason), Kimberleigh Geistweidt, Ashleigh Zaiontz (Marc), Emileigh Geistweidt, Stephenie Geistweidt, Lauren Moravits, Emily Moravits, Hannah Moravits, Bryan Weaver, Amanda Weaver, Wesley Haines, Tyler Haines (Kim), Cody Haines, Lindsay Stewart, Chelsey Partin (Seth), Luke Williams (Chelsea), Jacob Geistweidt and Sarah Geistweidt, 15 great-grandchildren: Hunter Haines, Hadyn Haines, Hutch Haines, Huxton Haines, Hawkins Haines, Tyler Partin, Hadley Partin, Landon Partin, Maddie Stewart, Aliva Williams, Weston Williams, Emma Williams, Leah Latham, Lucas Latham and Noah Balmos, a brother Dan Geistweidt of Fredericksburg, nieces and nephews and many friends. Reuben was preceded in death by his parents, a daughter Valaria Ann Geistweidt, a sister Betty Ressmann and a son-in-law Hugh Weaver.

Visitation with the family will be Sunday afternoon from 3 to 6 p.m. at Mason Funeral Home. The funeral service will be held on Monday, July 10, at 10:00 a.m. at the Hilda United Methodist Church with Rev. Michael Bell and Rev. Wade Powell leading the service. Interment will follow in the Hilda Methodist Cemetery. Serving as pallbearers are Wesley Haines, Tyler Haines, Cody Haines, Bryan Weaver, Jacob Geistweidt and Kimberleigh Geistweidt. Honorary pallbearers are Chuck Bearden, Jimmy Jordan, Stanley Toeppich, John Brandenberger, Sheri Clark and Curtis Schulze.

Memorials may be made to the Hilda United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall or to Hill Country Memorial Hospice.