Francis Joseph Lingle

Francis Joseph Lingle, 94, of West Frankfort, and formerly of Cobden, died at 8:55 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 18, 2017, at Helia Healthcare in West Frankfort.

He was born on July 13, 1923, in Cobden, the son of Frank and Josepha Patterson Lingle.

He married Helen Craig on Nov. 27, 1954. She preceded him in death in May 2010.

Born during the Great Depression, he worked for Civilian Conservation Corps as a teenager. He became a career military man who served as a gunner’s mate with the Navy aboard the U.S.S. Wichita in World War II (Pacific) during the largest naval battle in history, the Battle of Leyte Gulf. He was also a member of the occupying forces at Nagasaki. He continued his military career with the Army-Air Corps, fighting in the Korean War, and had his last tour of duty with the Air Force in the Vietnam War.

After retiring as a master sergeant from the Air Force in 1964, he worked for over 20 years as a master carpenter. He was a member and former treasurer for the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America (Local 683) in Carbondale. He was also a 32nd Degree Mason and member of the Masonic Order’s Fairfield-Suisun Lodge 55 in California.

He is survived by his son, Joseph (Kelly) Lingle of St. Louis; two daughters, Jeanne (Pat) Casey of DeSoto and Jane Lingle of Frankfort, Ky.; two granddaughters, Samanatha Jo and Madison Grace Lingle, both of Ewing; one sister, Mary Dehen of Springfield; two brothers, Robert (Cynthia) of Columbia, Miss., and Fred (Carol) Lingle of Sherwood, Ore.

He was preceded in death by his wife; his parents; and his brother, Louis Lingle.

Per his request, he will be cremated and his ashes will be mixed with those of his wife’s. Graveside services will be at 2 p.m. Friday, Dec. 1, at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery in Cobden.

Crain Funeral Home in Anna-Jonesboro is in charge of arrangements.

To view the obituary or to leave an online condolence for the family, visit www.crainsonline.com.