Name: Visitation for Francis T. Driscoll
Start: 2020-01-02T22:00:00.000Z
End: 2020-01-03T01:00:00.000Z
Location: Lensing Funeral & Cremation Service - Iowa City

Francis T. Driscoll

Iowa City - It is with great sadness that the family of Francis T. Driscoll, 77, announces his very sudden passing on Monday, December 23, 2019.

Funeral Services will be held at 10:30 AM, Friday, January 3, 2020, at First United Methodist Church with the Rev. Dr. Barrie Tritle officiating. Visitation will be Thursday, January 2, 2020, from 4 to 7 PM at Lensing Funeral Service on Kirkwood Ave in Iowa City. Graveside committal services with Military Honors will be at 1:30 PM, Friday, January 3rd at Oakland Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Mercy Hospital Foundation for Cardiac Rehab (www.mercyiowacity.org/mercyfoundation,) or the Midwest Old Threshers Foundation FBO the Campground, 405 E. Threshers Rd, Mt. Pleasant. Iowa 52641.

Francis was born October 19, 1942, in Cedar Valley, Iowa, the son of James C. and E. Agnes (Baker) Driscoll, the fifth of ten children. Francis was raised Catholic later moving to Tipton, IA. He was a 1962 graduate of Tipton High School, lettering in football. In 1964, Francis began serving in the US Army National Guard, headquartered in Iowa City with the 109th Medical Battalion, until his discharge in 1970. On April 12, 1969, Francis married Janet L. Dane at First United Methodist Church in Iowa City. This year they celebrated their 50th Anniversary with a reception and dance.

Francis had a passion for carpentry which he made into a career. He managed Hawkeye Lumber Company in Iowa City for 27 years, retiring in June of 2006 when the branch closed. He then took on small jobs as a residential handyman. His prior employment included Iowa Lumber Company, Iowa City Community Schools, University of Iowa College of Engineering, and Assistant Manager at Lampert Yards. It was a standing joke that every lumber yard he worked for closed!

He regularly attended First United Methodist Church in Iowa City. Francis was a member of the Iowa Lumber Assn., National Homebuilders Assn., Northwestern Lumber Assn., Iowa City Homebuilders, and was a longtime volunteer at the Midwest Old Threshers Campground. As the spouse of a 33-year Johnson County 4-H leader, he supported many Club and County activities. Francis was also an assistant coach for Iowa City Kickers and Little League Baseball.

In 2006, Francis received the Building Material Dealer of the year award from the Iowa Lumber Assn. He also received a volunteer award from the Midwest Old Threshers Campground where he provided carpentry, maintenance, painting and landscaping.

Francis and Janet enjoyed dancing with the Eagles Dance Club, camping, traveling, Iowa wrestling and football, bowling, playing Euchre, and stock car racing. Most important to Francis was his family. He enjoyed attending many events of his children, nieces, nephews and grandchildren. He loved being a Papa to Harper, Kendall and Dane.

Francis is survived by his loving wife, Janet, and their children, Jane Driscoll of Iowa City and Brian (Megan) Driscoll of West Branch; grandchildren, Harper, Kendall and Dane Driscoll; his siblings, Rosemary Sexton of West Branch, Patricia Knoop of Iowa City, Marcella Budreau of West Branch, Regina (George) Schreiber of Solon, Carol Moore of Lawrence, KS, Daniel Driscoll of West Branch, Lorna (Michael) Fletcher of Tipton; sisters in law Barb Driscoll and Mary Jo Dane; brothers in law Bob (Sue) Dane, Bill (Annette) Dane; former in laws Emmy Nolte and Charles Thiede; special nieces and nephews (including great and great-greats!) and his special friends from Mercy Cardiac Rehab.

Francis was preceded in death by his parents, step father Galo Stroppel; his father and mother in law, George and Marjorie Dane; siblings, Margaret Heick, James J. Driscoll; brothers in law, Paul Heick, Roscoe Sexton, Juergen Knoop, Thomas Budreau, and Leonard Moore; nieces Susan Driscoll, Tamra (Budreau) Salm, Jaime (Fletcher) Sheeder, and Amy (Schreiber) Wilson.

Online condolences may be submitted to www.lensingfuneral.com

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by the Iowa City Press-Citizen from Dec. 29 to Dec. 30, 2019.

Memories and Condolences
for Francis Driscoll

Sponsored by Lensing Funeral & Cremation Service - Iowa City.

3 Entries

Ron Greene

December 31, 2019

I worked for Francis as assistant manager at Hawkeye Lumber for 27 years. We always got along and had a mutual respect for each other. We had the same work ethic. Come in to work everyday, treat everyone with respect and do the best you could for your customers. That was easy because we loved what we did. I cherish the time I spent with Francis at Hawkeye. We were lumbermen.

Jim Ruppert

December 30, 2019

Janet, sorry to hear of your loss. I' ll remember you and Francis in my prayers.

Rosemary Selfridge

December 30, 2019

I was shocked and saddened to hear of the passing of my old neighbor, Francis. Francis was such a part of my childhood. He was the leader in all the games we played and he built all our forts and playhouses. He was a good athlete and a very nice guy. He was good at everything he did, and he watched out for the younger kids. I am so sorry to hear of your loss, and at such a poignant time before Christmas. I hope you all have enough lovely memories to help you through this time. My thoughts are with all of you.

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