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Visitation:
Two hours prior to the service on Saturday at the
church.
Service:
4 p.m. on Saturday January 3, at Lincoln Christian
Church
Funeral home:
Fricke-Calvert-Schrader, Lincoln
Obituary
Frank “Lindy” Fancher, 95, formerly of Lincoln,
passed away at 6:40 p.m. on December 26, 2014 at
Manor Care Nursing Home in Marietta, GA.
Frank was born on May 19, 1919 in Hart County, KY;
son of Benjamin Franklin and Mattie L. Perkins
Fancher. He was united in marriage with the love of
his life, Vada G. Compton on February 19, 1949 in
Lincoln, until she preceded him in death, December
6, 2002.
Surviving Frank are his two daughters: Ara (Rich)
Croce of Half Moon Bay, CA, and Marianne Daughety,
of Bethlehem, GA, his son: James “Jim”(Lori) Fancher
of Milton, GA; five granddaughters; five grandsons;
17 great grandchildren; and, two brothers Dean
(Ellen) and Dale (Ollie) Fancher. His parents and
one sister Irene Lancaster preceded him in death.
Frank enlisted in the 106 Calvary IL National Guard
which entered federal service November 25th, 1940.
He served in the American Theater of Operations in
Central & South America that included a significant
covert operation for the FBI. During WWII, Frank
landed in Europe on D-Day + 3, helped liberate Paris
and fought in the Battle of the Bulge. He received a
Silver Star for gallantry in action and a Battle
Field Commission to 2nd Lieutenant in Luxembourg as
bestowed by Gen George Patton who he served under at
the time and who referred to him as “mad dog”. While
in Paris recovering from wounds, he conducted
operations for the Criminal Investigations Division
(CID). Memberships include the National Order of
Battlefield Commissions, Military Order of the
Ardens, Yugoslav War Cross, and Veterans of the
Battle of the Bulge. |
After WWII, Frank served as a civilian pilot,
Captain Operation Officer in Lincoln Sq. Civil Air
Patrol (Search and Rescue). Civic organizations
include: VFW, American Legion, Post 263 & 201,
Lincoln Recreation Dept. Photography Club,
President, Officer, & Director of Lincoln Ski Club,
Long time member Tri-Police Assoc. – Illinois
Sheriffs Assoc., Experimental Aircraft Assoc. Ch.
129, Long Time Director, Past President, & VP of
“Heritage in Flight Museum.” Frank retired from
Lincoln Office Supply with a distinguished service
award and was an attendee of the Lincoln Christian
Church. Later in life Frank authored and wrote his
autobiography, “WWII: Through These Eyes”; and, up
into the last year of his life, he continued
volunteering his time in the nearby schools to teach
young people about WWII and freedom.
Services for Frank will be 4:00 p.m. on Saturday
January 3, 2015 at Lincoln Christian Church with Tim
Searby officiating. Visitation will be 2 hours prior
to service. In lieu of flowers, donations may be
given to an organization he loved, the Heritage in
Flight Museum, 1351 Airport, Lincoln, IL 62656;
(217) 732-3333. Fricke-Calvert-Schrader Funeral
Home, Lincoln has been entrusted with local
arrangements.
Click here to send a note of condolence to the family of Frank
“Lindy” Fancher |
