Francis Heeren Lucht quietly passed away Monday morning, October 21, 2024 at his home in rural Milford. He attained the age of 92 years, 9 months, and 28 days, having the distinction of being the oldest male member of St John Lutheran Church. Francis was born at Watseka Memorial Hospital on 23 December 1931, the son of Harm Jonas and Anna Mathilda Heeren Lucht. He was welcomed home by his sister, Thelma Pearl, who survives.
On January 3, 1932, Francis was made a child of God through baptism at the altar of St John, sponsored by two uncles, George Gerdes and John Frerichs. On 14 April 1946, he claimed the baptismal vows as his own through the rite of Confirmation at Immanuel Lutheran Church of Idaville, with Pastor Henry Geise. He chose Psalm 1:1&2 as the verse to lead him through life: “Blessed is the man who walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful; But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in that law doth he meditate day and night,”
Formal schooling was in the one-room schools in the area. His class was the last class to graduate from the Pleasant Hill School, and from there he entered and graduated from Milford Township High School. His father later purchased the Pleasant Hill School building and moved to the farm, where it stands today.
November 27, 1951, Francis entered the U.S. Navy and proudly served his country during the time of the Korean Conflict 1951 – 1955. His service was a Structural Mechanic of the Naval Aviation Branch. His Sea Duty was aboard a Blimp Squadron ZP-4 (Zephlin-Patrol Squadron 4), Francis received the National Service Medal and Good Conduct Medal.
On February 22, 1953, while still in the Navy, Francis married Doris Elaine Henrichs of Onarga at St. Paul in Woodworth. After his tour of duty in the Navy, Francis and Doris moved to the farm and began farming and raising hogs, which became their way of life for the next forty-eight years. Along with his business of life, Francis enjoyed his hobbies of hunting, fishing, camping, and shop work. He also served on a number of county ag committees and was chairman of the Iroquois Soil and Water Conservation District, was a Ditch Commissioner for his local drainage district, was a member of Farm Bureau, and the National Rifle Association.
Country life is a great place to raise a family. To Francis and Doris were born four sons and one daughter: David (Joy) now living in Jamestown, IL; Paul (Stacy) of College Station, TX; Dennis, now deceased; Dianne (Dean) Grimes now deceased; and Kevin (Peg) of Lexington, IL. As a family, they were faithful members of St John, Schwer. Francis served four terms on the church council, and five terms as usher. He enjoyed the record of being the oldest person to serve as usher.
He retired from farming in 2003, and on September 19, 2006, Francis had to say goodbye to the love of his life as Doris passed away. This was a new way of life for him, being alone in the house, having meals by himself, but Francis was still young at heart and on December 11, 2009 he and Eunice Holland eloped to Effingham, Il where they were married. This lasted only a few years, when Eunice, too, passed away from illness in 2018. In 2019 a biopsy confirmed a cancer diagnosis. Undaunted, Francis declared he felt blessed: he was raised in a Christian home, had good health, two good wives, good family and good friends.
He leaves to mourn his passing: three sons, David (Joy); Paul (Stacy); Kevin (Peg), and one son-in-law Dean (Kelly Cundiff) Grimes. Eleven grandchildren: Amy (Culley) Medley; Justin Knight (Harry Rambarran); Jacob (fiancé Sarah Turner) Lucht; Rachel (Logan) Mace; Chad (Kelly) Lucht; Jordan Lucht; Brooke (Jose) Robles; Megan Grimes; David (Billie) Young; Travis Young; Tammi (Pat) Noonan. Nine great-grandchildren: Kenley Medley; Landry Medley; Ryan Lucht; Luis Robles; Sydney Sparks; Brendan Noonan; Gil Noonan, Daniel Young, Derek Young. Two great-great-grandchildren: Finn Sparks; and Goldie Guerrero; one sister, Thelma Pearl; and countless relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by wives, Doris and Eunice; son Dennis; daughter, Dianne Grimes; two great grandchildren Kaylyn and Jayden Medley.
Visitation will be at St. John, Schwer, November 2, 2024 beginning at 9:30a.m. A memorial service with Pastor Joe Frech officiating will be held at 11:00a.m. followed with a lunch.
Memorials may be made to the St. John Schwer, IMH Hospice, or the donor’s choice.
Cremation rites were accorded and his remains will be buried in the St John Cemetery to await the final trumpet call of our Lord Jesus Christ on that Final Day.
Arrangements are by the Knapp Funeral Home in Milford.
Please share a memory of Francis at knappfuneralhomes.com.
