Francis Van Loon

Francis O. Van Loon, 89, a resident of Eldridge, Iowa died Thursday, February 17, 2011 at the Iowa Masonic Health Facilities, Bettendorf, Iowa.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Tuesday, February 22, 2011 at
Chambers Funeral Home, Eldridge, Iowa. Visitation will be held from 4:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. on Monday at the funeral home. Burial will be in Rock Island National Cemetery, Rock Island, Illinois. Memorials may be made to the Eldridge Volunteer Fire Department.

Francis was born October 7, 1921 in Knoxville, Iowa the son of Harry and Velta (Mart) Van Loon. On October 11, 1941 he was united in marriage to Maureen Whitaker in Rock Island, Illinois. He served his country as a member of the United States Air Force in World War II.

Francis was a retired tool and die maker and spent many years on the Eldridge Volunteer Fire Department. He was a member of the Eldridge American Legion Post 639, the Masonic Lodge and the Iowa Orchid Society.

He enjoyed woodworking, raising orchids in his greenhouse and his fish pond in the back yard.

Those left to honor his memory include his wife, Maureen; his daughters, Diane Jamison, Eldridge, Iowa and Denise (Terry) Joens, Bettendorf, Iowa; his sons, Jerry (Bonnie) Van Loon, Long Grove, Iowa and David (Linda) Van Loon, Illinois City, Illinois; his eight grandchildren and his six-great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister Colleen Reickard.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to the staff at Iowa Masonic Health Care for all their service and care for Francis.