| Description |
: |
Francis Firman Simon, age 87, of Odebolt, Iowa, passed away on Saturday, August 4, 2007, at the Odebolt Nursing & Rehab Center.
A funeral mass for Francis will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m., Thursday, August 9th at St. Martin's Catholic Church, Odebolt, Iowa with Reverend John McGuirk officiating. Burial will be at Lone Tree Cemetery in Sioux Rapids, Iowa, with a presentation of the flag by the Graeber-Rowe American Legion Post No. 394 of Sioux Rapids, Iowa. The Farber & Otteman Funeral Home in Odebolt is in charge of arrangements.
Visitation will be held from 5:00-8:00 p.m., on Wednesday, August 8th, with...
Read More
|
Francis Firman Simon, age 87, of Odebolt, Iowa, passed away on Saturday, August 4, 2007, at the Odebolt Nursing & Rehab Center.
A funeral mass for Francis will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m., Thursday, August 9th at St. Martin's Catholic Church, Odebolt, Iowa with Reverend John McGuirk officiating. Burial will be at Lone Tree Cemetery in Sioux Rapids, Iowa, with a presentation of the flag by the Graeber-Rowe American Legion Post No. 394 of Sioux Rapids, Iowa. The Farber & Otteman Funeral Home in Odebolt is in charge of arrangements.
Visitation will be held from 5:00-8:00 p.m., on Wednesday, August 8th, with a Rosary at 7:30 p.m. and Vigil at 8:00 p.m. at the Funeral Home in Odebolt.
Francis was born on February 15, 1920, in Odebolt, the second child of Firman Martin and Mary (Pfeiffer) Simon. After his early schooling in Odebolt and Early, Francis moved with his parents and siblings to a farm west of Sioux Rapids in 1932. Francis graduated from Sioux Rapids High School in 1937. On September 10, 1941, Francis enlisted in the U. S. Navy, completing boot camp at Great Lakes, Illinois. His chosen military career was in diesel mechanics and subsequently received his training in Cleveland and the Brooklyn Naval Yard. During WWII, Francis served with valor in the Asiatic/Pacific and Philippine Islands on a patrol/gunboat. Along with five United States Naval medals, he and his unit were awarded the Philippine Liberation and Philippine Presidential Citation.
Francis received his Honorable Discharge on October 20, 1945. After returning to Sioux Rapids for a short time, Francis left for St. Louis to continue his education/training in diesel electric power generation and received his graduate diploma. He was then employed by Iowa Public Service (IPS) and subsequently Mid-American Energy Co. at their facilities in Audubon, Le Mars, Ida Grove, and Odebolt for over thirty years. He was a member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW).
Survivors include his siblings: Alvin (Nelva Dawn) Simon of Colorado Springs, Colorado, Mary Ann Wilson of Cortez, Colorado, Raymond G. (Shirley) Simon of Sioux Rapids, Iowa, Paul (Betty) Simon of Rolling Meadows, Illinois, sister-in-law, Helen Simon of Sioux Rapids; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and siblings, Amos, Donald, Caroline and Clarence.
Special thanks from the family to the Odebolt Nursing and Rehab Center and staff for the outstanding care afforded to Francis during the final years of his life.
In lieu of flowers, masses would be appreciated, or donations to the American Heart Association or American Diabetes Association. |
