Funeral services for Francis Eilbert will be 10:30am Tuesday January 30, 2007 at First United Methodist Church in Grand Junction.  Following the funeral the family will visit with friends in the church fellowship hall.  (There is no other visitation)

Francis Louis Eilbert, son of Ernest and Katie Mae (Rose) Eilbert, was born May 4, 1919 near Grand Junction, Iowa.  Francis received his schooling at Paton for one year, and then attended school at Grand Junction, graduating with the class of 1937. 

Francis worked on the family farm and was a member of the Iowa National Guard Unit of Battery D in Grand Junction, entering the United States Army in February of 1941.  He spent time in Camp Claiborne, Louisiana and Fort Dix, New Jersey before going overseas.  While overseas he served in Northern Ireland, England, North Africa and Italy until the end of World War II.  Following his honorable discharge from the Army in 1945, Francis returned to the Grand Junction area.

Francis married Verda Culley on June 16, 1946.  They were the parents of three children: Cheryl, Craig, and Chris.

Francis farmed west of Grand Junction from 1946 through 1993.  He also worked part time for 20 years in the Assessors Office of the Greene County Court House.

He was member of the First United Methodist Church in Grand Junction and the V.F.W. Post.  He belonged to the Jefferson Elks Club, and enjoyed the Cribbage Club in Jefferson for many years.

Francis Eilbert died January 28, 2007 at Regency Park Nursing and Rehab in Jefferson.  He was 87 years of age.  He is survived by his wife, Verda; his daughter, Cheryl (Tony) Armstrong of Pembroke Pines, FL; son Craig (Terry) of Marion, and daughter-in-law Mary of Wellsburg; grandchildren Jill of Grand Junction, Jacob of Eau Claire, WI, Jessica of Wellsburg, Catie of Marion, and Elyse of Ames.

He was preceded in death by his son, Chris, on January 19, 2007; his parents; and his siblings: Alice Schroeder, Katherine Eilbert; Rosa Eilbert; and Raymond Eilbert.

According to his wishes, his body will be donated to the University of Iowa Anatomical Gift Program following the funeral service.  Interment will take place in the future at Junction Township Cemetery, Grand Junction, Iowa.