Victor, or Vic, was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He grew up in Nashua, NH, attended St. Aloysius Grade School, and went on to graduate from Nashua High School in 1952. Vic enlisted in the United States Air Force on January 6, 1953 and was stationed at Turkey Hill just outside of Belleville. On April 30, 1955, he married the love of his life, Patricia D. Schaefer, a Belleville native. They married at St. Peter’s Cathedral Catholic Church in Belleville. The happy couple settled in Belleville and started a family in 1956. After leaving active duty in the U.S. Air Force, he remained in the Air Force Reserves for another 21 years. During that time and after, he worked as a program analyst for the US Dept. of the Army until he retired in 1989.
Vic devoted much of his time to his family. Besides coaching Khoury League baseball and softball for over 20 years, he attended all of his children’s school and athletic events. Vic was also active in Southside Improvement Assn, Knights of Columbus, Cathedral Discussion Group, and 798th Reunion Group. Vic enjoyed slow-pitch softball, bowling (at Bel-Air Bowl), cribbage, euchre, and poker. Vic was a competitor and enjoyed playing sports, cards and board games. Vic was also a St. Louis sports fan, especially dedicated to the St. Louis Cardinals.
Victor was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 60 years, Patricia Francoeur, nee Schaefer; his parents, Louis “Bill” and Alice, nee Berube, Francoeur; a grandson, Kendall Delk; his in-laws, Fred and Paula, nee Weihrauch, Schaefer; sisters-in-law, Rita Bell and Joyce Francoeur; beloved nephew, Ronald Francoeur; and beloved niece, Janet Palmeri.
Surviving are Vic’s children, two sons, Steve (Terri) Francoeur of Edwardsville, IL, and Rick (Kathy) Francoeur of Belleville, IL;
four daughters, Denise (Dan) McGlynn of Belleville, IL, Carla (Duane) Arnold of Maryville, IL, Cathy (Bill) Westerheide of Waterloo, IL, and Lisa Francoeur-Delk of Belleville, IL;
15 grandchildren;
8 great-grandchildren;
a brother, Normand (Barbara) Francoeur of Raymond, NH;
and many much loved nieces and nephews.
The family wishes to thank the caring staff and many great friends at The Atrium of Belleville for providing a loving home in his final years. We wish to thank the employees of Hospice of Southern Illinois who tenderly cared for Vic in his final months.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to The Atrium of Belleville, 201 South Belt West, Belleville, IL 62220, or to Hospice of Southern Illinois, 305 S. Illinois St., Belleville, IL 62220. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.rennerfh.com.
Visitation: Friends may visit with the family from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday, May 24, 2018, at George Renner & Sons Funeral Home, Belleville, IL, and from 9 to 10 a.m. Friday, May 25, 2018, at St. Peter’s Cathedral Catholic Church, Belleville, IL.
Funeral: A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, May 25, 2018, at St. Peter’s Cathedral, with Msgr. John Myler officiating.
Burial with military honors will follow at Valhalla Gardens of Memory, Belleville, IL.