Francis Joseph Gibbons

Francis Joseph Gibbons, 98, of St. Joseph, Michigan, passed away on Monday, October 22, 2007, at Caretell Inns of Royalton in St. Joseph, MI. Mass of Christian Burial will be held Wednesday, October 24 at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 211 Church St., in St. Joseph, MI, with Fr. Bill Jacobs officiating. Burial will be private at All Saints Cemetery in Des Plaines, IL. Friends may visit with the family Tuesday evening, October 23, 2007, from 6:00 to 8:00 P.M., at Kerley-Starks & Menchinger Family Funeral Home, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph, MI. Prayers will be recited at 7:30 at the funeral home. Memorial donations may be made to a charity of the donor’s choice. Those wishing to send the family a condolence message or sign the guest book on-line may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com. Francis was born on April 26, 1909, in Canton, MA to Michael and Delia Gibbons. On April 26, 1938, he married Helen Hanlon in Waterbury, Ct. Francis worked for many years as a Financial Executive for UOP and later Calumet and Hecla in Michigan’s Upper Penensula. An avid golfer, he served as past president of the North Shore Country Club in Glenview, IL. He enjoyed producing Books on Tape for the blind. Francis was a longtime active member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Winnetka, IL. Francis is survived by his sons, Hugh of West Falmouth, MA and Joel (Crispina) Gibbons of St. Joseph, MI; and by 5 grandchildren, Shannon (George) Synan, Lauren (Steven) Paul, Eileen (Francois) Capt, Marcus (Jill) Gibbons and Hugh (Isabel) Gibbons. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife Helen in 1968.