Obituary of Francis King

Francis I. "Fran" King, age 91; passed away peacefully after a long life, with family members at his side. Born: September 25, 1922, Lead (The Black Hills), South Dakota. Died: February 1, 2014, Libertyville, Illinois. Devoted husband, for 64 years, to loving and surviving wife Barbara (Nelson) King. Dedicated father to seven children: Michael (Nancy), Stephen, Jeffrey (Mary, deceased '06), Timothy (Luanne), Kevin, Jennifer (Rich) Williams, and Sarah (Glenn) Balasky. Preceded in death by son, Kevin, in 1968. Proud grandfather to fifteen and great-grandfather to five. To be remembered for his love and commitment to family, faith, selflessness, inner-strength, positive outlook, discipline, humor, wit, story-telling, affection for reading, and enthusiasm for The Black Hills. WWII U.S. Army Air Corp veteran; piloted B17 bombers on 32 missions with the 15th Air Force/97th Bomb Group/414 Squadron; flying out of Foggia, Italy, from September,1944, to VE-day. Re-entered studies at South Dakota State College in 1946, where he met Barbara; marrying in August, 1949. A professional career in journalism, advertising/communications, and agri-data management extended until his early-70's; taking him to Deere & Company, J.I. Case, International Harvester, Chicago-based advertising agencies, and to co-founder of Market Identification, Inc. Upon retirement, and after years of residency in the Libertyville-area, Fran and Barbara lived in Door County, WI; Phoenix, AZ; and Spearfish, SD; returning to the Libertyville-area in 2007. Visitation to be held Monday, February 10, from 4:00 to 7:00 pm at McMurrough Chapel, 101 Park Place, Libertyville, IL (Rt 176, 1 Block East of Milwaukee Ave). Funeral mass to be conducted on Tuesday, February 11, 10:00am, at St. Joseph Catholic Parish, 121 East Maple St., Libertyville, IL (in the Koenig Center Chapel, between the school and church). Private interment at Ascension Cemetery, Libertyville, IL will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, or other remembrances, the family would appreciate donations in Fran's name to Mercy Home for Boys & Girls, Chicago, IL (www.mercyhome.org); or, to St. Joseph Catholic Parish, Libertyville, IL (www.stjoseph-libertyville.org). Funeral info (847) 362-2626. Please sign the guestbook at libertyvillefuneralhome.com