John Franscavitch, 84, of Mt. Vernon, passed away at 1 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 26, 2013, at his home in Mt. Vernon.

He was born Wednesday, Feb. 22, 1928, in Pana, to Albert John and Madge (Driscoll) Franscavitch.

He married Darlene Bakel on April 23, 1960, in Mt. Vernon.

John’s parents moved back to Mt. Vernon when he was three months old. He attended Old Union School and Mt. Vernon Township High School, where he was co-captain of the varsity football team his senior year. Following that, he started working for Illinois Bell Telephone Co.

During the Korean Conflict era, he answered the call of duty and served our country as a field wireman with the rank of Corporal in the United States Army, being honorably discharged on Jan. 2, 1960.

He returned to Illinois Bell and continued working for 45 years as an installer/repairman. He was an I.B.E.W. Union steward for 15 years and was an Illinois Bell Pioneer.

His local Civic memberships included Turner Roehm AMVETS Post 4, Mt. Vernon Moose Lodge #755 (L.O.O.M.) and Mt. Vernon American Legion Post #141, where he proudly was a member of the Color Guard. He also was a member of the Knights of Columbus and served as a Grand Knight in 1975. John loved to hunt, fish and be outdoors (including mowing his yard).

John is survived by his wife, Darlene Franscavitch of Mt. Vernon; three daughters, Maria Minowitz and husband Steve of Warson Woods, Mo., Joanna Franscavitch of Mt. Vernon and Tricia Franscavitchh of St. Louis; grandchildren, Michael and Mark Minowitz of Warson Woods, Mo., two sisters, Freda Hurst of Mt. Vernon and Patricia Holston and husband Don of Nashville; and several nieces and nephews also survive.

His parents and one brother-in-law, Claude Hurst, preceded him in death.

A requiem high mass will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, Feb. 1, at St. Francis Desales in St. Louis, with Canon Raphael Ueda officiating. A local funeral mass will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 2, at St. Mary Catholic Church in Mt. Vernon with Fr. John Iffert officiating. Interment will follow at St. Mary Cemetery in Mt. Vernon.

Visitation will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday at Hughey Funeral Home in Mt. Vernon with a rosary service following at 8 p.m.

For those who wish, memorials may be given to SSM Hospice or Siteman Cancer Center and will be accepted at the funeral home or mailed to Hughey Funeral Home, P.O. Box 721, Mt. Vernon, IL 62864.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Hughey Funeral Home, where you may call 242-3348 or visit www.hugheyfuneralhome1969.com for further information and to send condolences.

Source: Mt. Vernon Register-News
Date: January 30, 2013
Submitted by: Archives