DeShaw, Francis Herbert 1933-2009

DESHAW, BESSLER, HILBERT, WIDMAR, MCINTOSH, WERNIMONT, MEYER, LAKE, POTTER

Posted By: Mary Cameron (email)
Date: 2/21/2010 at 16:30:40

Francis Herbert DeShaw, 76, of Elkader, died Wednesday, July 29, 2009, at the Elkader Care Center in Elkader following a long illness.

Mass of Christian Burial was held 10 a.m. Saturday, August 1, 2009 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Volga with The Rev. Paul R. Peters as celebrant.

Interment was held at 1 p.m. at St. Joseph's Catholic Cemetery, Elkader.

The casket bearers were Francis' grandsons, Chad DeShaw, Jeremey DeShaw, Adam DeShaw, Timmy DeShaw, Seth Widmar, Christopher DeShaw, and Justin DeShaw.

Francis was born July 2, 1933, near Hopkinton, rural Delaware County, to Duane and Carrie (Bessler) DeShaw. Francis graduated from Buck Creek High School, Hopkinton, in 1952.

Francis was united in marriage to Donna Rae Hilbert in 1955, at St. Luke's Catholic Church in Hopkinton. They resided in the Hopkinton area until 1966, when they moved to Elkader where they farmed and raised dairy and beef herds. He also sold seed corn and minerals.

He was a longtime member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Elkader. Francis enjoyed being with his family and friends; and especially spoiling his grandchildren. Playing cards, reading, dancing and vacationing were also some of his favorites. He will be remembered as a man with a great personality who took pleasure in joking around.

Survivors include his wife Donna of Elkader; his children, Dennis (Linda) DeShaw of Pochontas, Ariz., Linda (Chris) Widmar of Centerville, Ron (Kandi) DeShaw of Elkader and Tim (Sharolyn) DeShaw of Independence, Mo.

He is also survived by his daughter-in-law, Donna DeShaw of Elkader; his step-mother Virginia "Jen" DeShaw of Strawberry Point; 18 grandchildren and two more on the way; his siblings, Duane Jr. (Luella) DeShaw of Hopkinton, Betty McIntosh of Manchester, Robert (Bernadine) of Hopkinton, Ella Mae (Bill) Wernimont of Hopkinton, Steve (Lyda) DeShaw of Amber, Lee (Gale) DeShaw of Hopkinton, Gary (Deb) DeShaw of Elkader, Sharon Meyer of Maryville, Mo., Larry (Connie) DeShaw of Strawberry Point, Juanita Lake of Sun City, Ariz., Diane (Dale) Potter of Strawberry Point, and Earl (Joanne) DeShaw of Arlington; numerous nieces and nephews and many friends.

Francis was preceded in death by his parents; his sons, David DeShaw and Edward DeShaw; his grandson, Brandon Widmar; his brother, Roger DeShaw; his sister, Jacqueline DeShaw and his brother-in-law, Roger McIntosh and Paul Lake.

Clayton County Register, August 5, 2009