Frank J. Fincel

Frank J. Fincel, age 89 of Dubuque, passed away on September 25, 2013, at the Stonehill Franciscan Care Community, where he resided for the past 5 years. Funeral services will be at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, September 30, 2013, at Holy Spirit Parish, Holy Ghost Church with Rev. Dwayne J. Thoman officiating. To celebrate Frank's life friends may visit from 2:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, September 29, 2013, at Behr Funeral Home, 1491 Main St., where there will be a parish wake service said at 2:00 p.m. Burial will be in Mt. Calvary Cemetery where military honors will be accorded by the Dubuque Marine Corps League. Frank was born on December 29, 1923 in Dubuque, IA, son of Frank and Ida (Dunkley) Fincel. Frank graduated from the Loras Academy and served as a Lieutenant in the Army during WWII, with most of his service occurring in Europe. He married Grace Reicher on July 22, 1947, in Dyersville, IA. Grace passed away in 1967 and Frank never remarried. He was a life-long vegetable farmer in the Dubuque area like his father before him and now his son Frank and grandsons. He was a pioneer in the vegetable farming business, being one of the first in Iowa to irrigate. He built a widespread reputation for raising the finest quality sweet corn, tomatoes and melons and Frank was pleased that the family business was advanced by his son and grandchildren. Frank was a life-long parishioner of Holy Ghost Catholic Church. He enjoyed living and farming along the Mississippi River north of Dubuque. He also enjoyed hunting, fishing, playing cards and trapshooting. Among his many accomplishments in competitive arenas, Frank was inducted into the Iowa Trapshooting Hall of Fame, after having participated in and furthered the sport during most of his life. Frank is survived by 3 sons, Frank R. (Carol) Fincel, East Dubuque, IL, Tom (Karen) Fincel, Eugene, OR, Mark (Jolene) Fincel, Oskaloosa, IA, 8 grandchildren and many great-grandchildren, a son-in-law, David Custer, Dubuque, IA. Frank was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Grace, a daughter, Cheryl (Fincel) Custer, 2 brothers, Joe and Mike and 3 sisters, Blanche, Alice and Ida Mae. In lieu of flowers the family asks that memorials be made to Stonehill Franciscan Services, Holy Spirit Parish Holy Ghost Church or to Albrecht Acres. The family wishes to extend a special thank you to the nurses and staff of Stonehill Franciscan Services and Hospice of Dubuque for all of their care and concern for Frank.