Francis H. Kirby, 88, of Eau Claire, WI, died Sunday, August 18, 2013, at Sacred Heart Hospital in Eau Claire. He was a gentle man, wonderful husband, father and grandfather. Francis was born in the Town of Stanton, Dunn County, WI, on August 26, 1924, a son of William and Edna (Peck) Kirby. Francis graduated from Elmwood High School with the Class of 1942. Francis served in the U.S. Navy from 1943 until his honorable discharge in 1946. After the war, he graduated from Dunwoody Institute in Minneapolis, MN. Francis married Gloria M. Nicholson on October 11, 1951, in St. Paul, MN. Francis had worked as a mechanic for Clairemont/Peters Meats in Eau Claire, then as the Indispensable-Dispenser Man at Milwaukee Cheese Company. He retired from Rheinhart Foods in 1989. Francis was a member of VFW Post 305, Knights of Columbus Council #1257, and Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Eau Claire. Francis is survived by his wife, Gloria; four sons, Gregory of Eau Claire, Daniel (Wendy) of Grand Junction, CO, David (Tamara) of Eau Claire, and Michael of Eau Claire; two daughters, Mary (Craig) Kirby of Penn Valley, CA and Angela (Donald) Morton of Hillsboro, OR; fourteen grandchildren; twelve great-grandchildren; and a brother, Brian Kirby of Spring Valley, WI; and his beloved dog, Harley. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Patricia Kirby; parents; brother, Donald Kirby; and two sisters, Julia Werner and Ruby Engles. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, August 23, 2013, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 416 N. Dewey St. in Eau Claire with Father George Thayilkuzhithottu officiating. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. with a Prayer Vigil at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, August 22, 2013, at Lenmark-Gomsrud-Linn Funeral Home – WEST CHAPEL, 1405 N. Clairemont Ave. in Eau Claire and one hour prior to the mass at the church. Inurnment will be at a later date in Sacred Heart Cemetery in Eau Claire, with military rites conducted by VFW Post #305.

Service Information

Cemetery

Sacred Heart Cemetery County Rd A Mondovi WI 54755

Visitation

Thursday, August 22 2013 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM

Lenmark Gomsrud Linn Funeral & Cremation Services West Chapel 1405 North Clairemont Avenue Eau Claire WI 54703

Mass of Christian Burial

Friday, August 23 2013 11:00 AM

Sacred Heart Catholic Church North Dewey Street & Division Street Eau Claire WI 54701