3/17/2011 3:21:00 PM

GALENA, Ill.--Francis B. Oldenburg, 96, of Galena, Ill., died Wednesday, March 16, 2011 at the Galena-Stauss Senior Care Community in Galena.

He was born on Sept. 1, 1914 on the family farm in Galena, the son of Albert and Helena (Schnerre) Oldenburg. He married Dorothy M. Weber on April 8, 1942 at the Immaculate Conception Church in Kieler, Wis. Francis farmed the family farm from 1942 to 1980 until his retirement. The family farm became an Illinois Century Family Farm in 1977. Francis was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Galena where he served on the parish council and also was a member of the Holy Name Society. Francis was a Fourth Degree member of the Knights of Columbus of Galena. He was also a member of the Galena Elks Lodge for many years and was the Rawlins Township road commissioner for 12 years. Francis was an avid member of the Cast Iron Seats Club traveling to many antique sales collecting cast irons seats and other farm collectibles. He enjoyed traveling in the United States and abroad. Francis enjoyed his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He enjoyed playing cards and watching the Cubs. He was always there to listen or lend a helping hand whenever anyone needed help. He never turned anyone down.

Francis is survived by his loving wife, Dorothy, of almost 69 years on April 8; his children, Bill (Karon) Oldenburg, Ann (Carl) Schoenhard, and John (Tammy) Oldenburg, all of Galena; his grandchildren, Angie (friend, Jay) Young of Fairbanks, Alaska, Julie (Mike) Kapparos and Jody (Mark) Calvert, both of Galena, Blaine (Trisha) Schoenhard of Dubuque, Iowa, and Rachel, Adrienne and April Oldenburg of Galena; great-grandchildren, Nathan Oldenburg of Boscobel, Wis, Andrea Oldenburg of Minneapolis, Minn., D.J. Kapparos of Omaha, Neb. and Gabby Kapparos of Galena, and Tyler, Natalie and Kristen Calvert, all of Galena; step-grandchildren, Sharie (Tim) Maloney of Lake Forest, Ill., Jon (Jodi) Schoenhardt of Galena, and Kim Schoenhard of Florida, Hayley Winter of Dubuque, Shawn (Kim) Saunders of Warren, Ill., and Shane (Jen) Saunders of Machesney Park, Ill.; step great-grandchildren, Ryan, Brett, Cliff and Taylor Arns, and Will and Caitlin Maloney of Lake Forest, Ill., A.J., Christian, and Hayley Schoenhard of Galena, and Tyler, Brayden, Carsyn, and Kyron Saunders of Warren, and Fiona Saunders of Machesney Park; and four sisters, Antionette Staggs of Lebanon, Ore., Imelda Olech of Chicago, and Mary Wienen and Dorie Virtue, both of Galena.

He was preceded in death by his parents; four brothers, Albert Raymond, Robert, Ambrose and Leo Oldenburg; one sister, Gladys Green; a daughter-in-law, Sherry Oldenburg; grandson, Tony Oldenburg; and a granddaughter, Erin A. Schoenhard.

Friends may call from 3-7 p.m., Friday, March 18, 2011 at the Furlong Funeral Chapel, Galena, where a scripture wake service will be held at 3 p.m.

Funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, March 19, 2011 at St. Mary's Catholic Church, Galena. Burial will be in the church cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, we ask you to say a prayer for someone in need. Dad would love that and it will take a multitude of us praying on earth to make up for the prayers of the one whom now lives in Heaven. In all things, our Dad trusted in the Lord. For Dad to see Gods' face to face, we can only imagine the depths of his joy. But we remain here with all our tears to cry, because this incredible man meant the world to us. We will trust in God as taught to us and we will find comfort in knowing, "Those that believe in the Lord never see each other for the last time." Dad, we're counting on it. We love you.

A special thank you to all those who have helped in caring for our Dad.