Francis “Butch” Roy Franscoviak passed away on Saturday, May 18, 2024.
He was born to Bernard and Maxine (Johnson) Franscoviak in Rensselaer, IN, on January 12th, 1946. Fran was a 1964 graduate of Medaryville High School.
Butch served in the U.S. Army from November 17th, 1965, to November 3rd, 1967. During his Vietnam service of thirteen months as an Army Ranger in the 4th Infantry Division as a LRRP (Long Range Reconnaissance Patrol) team member, he was awarded two bronze stars.
His marriage of 54 years was to Kay Richardson on June 14th, 1969, in the Monon United Methodist Church.
Butch earned his associate degree in Electronics from Ivy Tech. He was an electrician at Eli Lilly for 32 years.
The joys of his life were being a father to son Timothy Dale and daughter Ann Marie. He was a beloved grandfather to Katelynn, Erika, and Lauren. Fran was an enthusiastic small farmer and vegetable gardener. Searching for arrowheads and mushrooms were a frequent pastime. Attending his children’s and grandchildren’s music and sporting events were highlights for him. In his later years, he could be found in the bleachers of the Tippecanoe Fairgrounds Horse and Pony Arena or Indiana State Fair Coliseum watching his granddaughters compete with their horses.
The two organizations to which he was deeply devoted were the American Legion Post #268 and the National 4th Infantry Association. Butch had many jobs with the Chalmers Legion Post. He and Kay frequently attended the annual reunions of the 4th Infantry throughout the U.S. He is survived by wife Kay Franscoviak and their daughter Ann (Donnie) Shockley of Delphi; Tim (Sherry) of Battle Ground; his granddaughters Lauren of Battle Ground, Erika of Whitestown, and Katelynn (Levi) Pritts of Brookston and a great-grandson, Noah Pritts. He is also survived by sister Peg (Bob) Okeley, brothers Marvin (Sandi) and Rick (Pat) Franscoviak.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his sisters Lisa and Linda, and brothers Jerry and Ronnie.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Tippecanoe County 4H Horse and Pony Club.
The family would like to greatly express their appreciation for the exceptional care of Fran by Doctors Robert Riddell, Mary Walsh, and Shoaib Shafique and staff for many years, and the medical staff at the VA.
Friends may call from 4 – 8 p.m. Thursday, May 23, 2024, at Hartzler-Clapper Funeral Home of Brookston. Funeral services to be held Friday, May 24, 2024, at 10 a.m. also at the funeral home; Rev. Suzanne Clemenz to officiate. Interment with military rites to follow in the Chalmers Community Cemetery.
