Joseph Gisler Jr.; Farmer

Joseph Gisler Jr., a longtime farmer from a local pioneering family, died at his Camarillo home Wednesday after a brief illness. He was 81.

Gisler grew lemons and oranges in the Santa Rosa Valley until his retirement in 1965. His father, Joseph Gisler, had farmed in the area, as had his grandfather, Max Gisler, who immigrated here from Switzerland.

Gisler attended Oxnard High School, and in 1929 he enrolled in the Warren School of Aeronautics in Los Angeles. After he graduated, his father bought him an airplane and he became one of Ventura County’s early pilots.

Since there were no local airports at the time, he would land the airplane in a field owned by his grandfather near what is now the Esplanade Shopping Center in Oxnard, a family member said. He flew for two years, frequently taking passengers who had never flown before. He took up farming in 1935.

He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Lucille Gisler, and two sons, Richard C. Gisler of Camarillo and Joseph C. Gisler of Fair Oaks; three brothers; a grandson and a great-granddaughter.

Friends may call from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday at Pierce Brothers Griffin Mortuary in Camarillo. Rosary will be at 7:30 p.m.

Graveside services will be private, and there will be a memorial Mass at a later date. Burial will be at Conejo Mountain Memorial Park in Camarillo. Donations may be made in his memory to the American Diabetes Assn.