Francis W. Meade

Age 92, passed away peacefully on Sunday evening, December 31, 2006 at the Morris Hospital following a sudden heart complication. He was born on November 18, 1914 to the late Francis J. and Adele E. (nee Warren) Meade in rural Grundy County near Minooka at the family farm on Tabler Road in Aux Sable Township. He attended the Broadway Country School and DeLaSalle Catholic High in Joliet until his sophomore year when he was needed at home to care for his mother, brother and sister following the death of his father from cancer. He supported the family and saved the farm during the depression by working at the Morris Paper Mill and maintaining County Gravel Roads in addition to milking cows and raising livestock. Francis married Marjorie Wilson on October 2, 1943 at St. Mary's Church in Minooka. Together they began their cattle and hog business on a 300 acre rented farm and later purchased their present farm in 1952 in Channahon Township on Ford Road. When farm prices sharply declined he began working at the Joliet Wrought Washer Company in Rockdale in 1955 and at the Stateville Farm in 1965 until he retired from Stateville Industries in 1978. He was a member of the American Angus Association for over 62 years and sold his purebred herd in March 2002 and donated the money to several charities. He and his son, "Frank", worked as volunteers during the construction of the original St. Ann's Church in Channahon before Frank went to Italy and became a priest.

Mr. Meade was an active member of his church and has been honored as a lifetime member of the Knights of Columbus, having received the Fourth Degree and completing 74 years of service.

He was preceded in death by three grandsons, Robert P. Schutter (1972), John Meade (1978) and Scott Meade (1979); a son, Father Francis "Frank" Meade (1990); daughters, Stephanie (May 2006) and Sheila Schutter (June 2006); his brother, Dan (1996); and his sister, Kathryn Horton (1992).

Francis is survived by his loving wife, Marjorie; a son, Thomas (Carol) Meade of Morris; daughters, Mary (Ron) Webb of Joliet and Sister Gemma "Jane" Meade of Massachusetts; a son-in-law, Robert G. Schutter; 12 grandchildren; 15 great grandchildren; numerous nieces, nephews, brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law.

He rarely missed a day of work and thoroughly enjoyed spending time with his family and friends. His strength stability, and "common sense" will be missed by all who knew him.

Funeral Services for Francis W. Meade will be held on Friday, January 5, 2007 at 9:45 at The Maple Funeral Home to St. Ann Catholic Church for Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 AM, Fr. Jeff Stoneberg officiating. Interment St. Mary's Cemetery, Minooka. Preferred Memorials in his name may be made to St. Ann Organ Fund or to the St. Scholastica Priory Building Fund would be appreciated. Visitation will be Thursday from 1 to 4 PM and from 7 to 9 PM at: THE MAPLE FUNERAL HOME

24300 S. Ford Rd, Channahon

815-467-1234