HECOX, Francis H. "Butch"

HECOX, PECK, SPIEDEL, KING, CAMPBELL, KELLY, SMITH, MURDOCK

Posted By: Volunteer (email)
Date: 7/5/2013 at 00:07:03

Francis H. “Butch” Hecox, 92, of Mt. Pleasant, IA, started his journey home on Thursday, June 27, 2013, at the Henry County Health Center.

Visitation will be held from 12:00 – 7:00 p.m. Monday, July 1, 2013, at the Olson-Powell Memorial Chapel, where the family will receive friends from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. that evening. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, July 2nd, at 10:30 a.m. at the Olson-Powell Memorial Chapel with Pastor Nancy Baldosier officiating. Burial will be in Richwoods Cemetery with full military rites. Memorials may be directed to the family.

Born November 27, 1920, in Beloit, WI, Francis Hubert was the son of Leon C. and Mary Jane Sites Hecox. He graduated from Burlington High School. Francis served in World War II, at the Battle of the Bulge, in Germany and France, as part of the 12th Armored Division where he was a tank commander. He married Deloris A. Peck in Abilene, TX. The couple later divorced. He married Leola Campbell Kelley on May 19, 1996, at their home in Mt. Pleasant.

Francis was the owner of Burlington Wilbert Vault in Burlington, IA for fifty years. He was past president of Wilbert Manufactures Association.

Family was a priority for Francis. Because of his commitment to family, Francis was involved with Boy Scouts. He served as scoutmaster, went to Philmont Ranch, was camp director for Camp Eastman, and received the Silver Beaver Award, which was the highest award given to a volunteer. Francis loved to travel. Musically inclined, he was a self-taught organist that played by ear. He enjoyed woodworking, bird watching, camping, canoeing, fishing in Canada, and card playing.

Along with his wife, Leola, Francis is survived by a son, Roger (Beth) Hecox of Burlington, IA; a daughter, Cheri Hecox of Minneapolis, MN; a grandson Ryan (Sara) Hecox, and their two children Evan and Grace of Burlington, IA; two sisters, Myrna (Dale) Spiedel of Vinton, IA, and Bertha (Bruce) King of New London, IA; and a brother, Lorin (Sharon) Hecox of Atlanta, GA. He is also survived by two step-sons, Kevin (Heather) Smith of Mt. Pleasant, IA, and Brian Smith of Winfield, IA; a step-daughter, Roberta (Kevin) Murdock of Mt. Pleasant, IA; and numerous step-grandchildren and step-great grandchildren.

Francis was preceded in death by a daughter, Dee Ann Hecox; three brothers, Dale Hecox, Robert Hecox, and Donald Hecox; and two sisters, Nellora Davis and Mary Chaney.