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Gesler -- Evelyn Wilma Mellard Gesler Nov. 21, 1928 - Nov. 23, 1998Evelyn Wilma Mellard Gesler died of a malignant brain tumor on Nov. 23 in her home in Phoenix (Ahwatukee). A memorial service will be held on Dec. 12, 2 p.m. at the Lakeshore Mortuary, 1815 S. Dobson, Mesa, AZ with the Rev. John Usry (retired) officiating. Her body has been donated tot he University of Arizona Medical School. Wilma was born in San Pedro, CA, the daughter of James William Bryan and Mary Ann Phyllis Stephens Mellard who preceded her in death, as has her brother, Robert DeMoss Mellard. She lived in Van Nuys, CA, until 1944 when the family moved to the Mellard family ranch in Hope, NM. Wilma graduated from the Radford School for Girls in El Paso, TX, and attended the University of New Mexico, and Chicago City College. She married Robert M. Gesler of Aurora, IL, on Sept. 4, 1947. They shared homes in Aurora (IL), Chicago, Riverdale (MD), River Vale (NJ), Elsmere (NY), Deerfield (IL), and Albuquerque before moving to Phoenix in 1993. Wilma was a homemaker, a loving wife, a loving mother of five and grandmother of nine. She was always an avid reader, and an active tennis player and skier in her younger days. She was a long standing member of Las Aranas Spinners and Weavers Guild in Albuquerque, and a charter member of the Ahwatukee Recreation Center Saguaro Stropers (quiltmakers). She was a member of the Mission del Sol Presbyterian Church in Tempe. Wilma and Bob celebrated their golden wedding anniversary in Nags Head, NC, last summer with their family, relatives and many friends. She is survived by her husband, Robert M.; five sons, Dr. James Wendell Gesler of Wooster, OH, Robert William Gesler of Dallas, TX, Peter Wayne Gesler of Gilbert, AZ, Thomas Warren Gesler of Simi Valley, CA, and David Walter Gesler of Denver, CO; nine grandchildren; one sister, June Mellard Hill of Ahwatukee; five nieces; one nephew; and three great-nephews. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the University of New Mexico Presidential Scholarship Fund (Hodgin Hall, 2nd Floor, Albuquerque, NM 87131-9901).
        Published on: Thu November 26, 1998