Francis Joseph "Frank" Waldinger

1941 - 2024

Francis "Frank" Joseph Waldinger
Born: April 12, 1941 in Princeville, IL
Died: July 15, 2024 in Davenport, IA
Francis "Frank" Joseph Waldinger, 83, of Bradford, IL, passed away peacefully on July 15, 2024, at Genesis East Medical Center in Davenport, IA, after a brief illness.
Frank was born on April 12, 1941, in Princeville, IL, to Emilie (Lang) Waldinger and Franz Waldinger. He graduated from Bradford High School in 1959. After first noticing her at church on August 15, 1961, Frank met up with Alice Parkin at a football game, and they dated for two years before marrying on August 10, 1963, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Bradford. Together, they had four children and farmed in Buda, IL, for 41 years, raising corn, soybeans, and hogs. He had the straightest rows of corn and the cleanest bean fields (with the help of his wife and children!) in Bureau County. Early in his farming career during the off-season, he also worked as a carpenter, building houses for Colgan Brothers Construction.
Frank was a lively teller of jokes, and, if he could overcome his own laughter before he got to the punchline, his jokes were always funny. He loved watching Jeopardy! with Alice, making sure to write down the final questions to quiz the kids and grandkids when they came to visit. He avidly solved crossword puzzles--often with the help of his friend, Siri! Frank also had an exceptional memory, recalling farming details, people's names, and sports facts like no one else while his family had to refer to Google just to join the conversation. He was well known in his family for his witty, pithy sayings, including one that would always come after hearing of the deals and savings from shopping excursions: "You're going to go broke saving money!" One of Frank's proudest moments came when his first grandchild, Ryan, was born on his birthday. They shared many special days together over the 27 years, often savoring a bunny cake Alice would bake for them.
Those surviving to cherish his memory include his doting wife of nearly 61 years, Alice; his devoted children, Kyle Waldinger (Danielle Svetcov) of Corte Madera, CA, Corey (Laura) Waldinger of Naperville, IL, Cynthia (Todd) Carlson of Amboy, IL, and Teresa Waldinger (Tom O'Connor) of North Aurora, IL; his adoring grandchildren, Charlotte and Jo Waldinger (Corte Madera, CA); Ryan Waldinger (Chicago, IL), Alex Waldinger (Nashville, TN), Sarah Waldinger (Chicago, IL), and Emma Waldinger (Naperville, IL); Avery and Beckett O'Connor (North Aurora, IL); his beloved siblings, Ginny (Ted) Gilles, Henry (Paulette) Waldinger, Ruth (Don) Stahl, Clarence (Kathy) Waldinger, and Tom Waldinger; his amazing Parkin "out-laws"; and 36 dear nieces and nephews.
Frank was preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Liz Code; his brother, Willie Waldinger; four brothers-in-law, Phil Code, Bill Hinkle, Rodger Woodley, and Jim Parkin; and two nephews, Travis Parkin and Billy Hinkle.
A visitation will be from 4:00pm-7:00pm with the recitation of the rosary at 7:00pm on Tuesday, July 23, 2024, at Grant-Johnson Funeral Home in Bradford, IL. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30am on Wednesday, July 24, 2024, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Bradford with Rev. John Thieryoung, officiating. Burial will immediately follow at St. John's Cemetery.
Memorials can be made to St. John's Cemetery or to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.