Francis G. Wheelock Sr.  of Rochester passed away on January 22, 2013 at St. Marys Hospital in Rochester following a short illness.

Francis was born February 18, 1919 in St. Peter, Minnesota.   He married Mary Brinson on January 15, 1941 at St. John's Catholic Church in Rochester.  She died on December 21, 1987.  He then married LaVone (Fiegel) Stutz on February 19, 1994 in Rochester, MN.

Fran was in the National Guard and drafted into the Army during World War II where he witnessed the Battle of the Bulge and was part of the initial U.S. Troops that helped liberate the Dachau Concentration Camp near Munich Germany.  On Christmas Eve 1945, Fran returned to Rochester where he resumed his career of 46 years as a Mayo Clinic x-ray Technician and supervisor.  He and his spouse raised five children in Rochester.   Mr. Wheelock was a partner of the Vet's Cab Company during the late 1940's and early 1950's.   He was a member of the American Legion and part of the WWII Roundtable. Fran's favorite hobby was horses.  He also loved his rose garden and taking his dog on golf cart rides.

Francis's patriotism, his duty and honor to serve the U.S. was matched by his common values of spiritual faith, love of family, patient care, courage, service, economy, and  respectability for oneself.

Francis is survived by his wife, one daughter; Mary Ann Bown of Arden Hills, MN; three sons, Francis Jr. (Nancy) Wheelock of Rochester, Laurence Wheelock of Brooklyn Park, MN and John (Pam) Wheelock of Douglas, MN; seven grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and one sister, Mary Margaret Phillips of Arizona.  He was preceded in death by his first wife, one son, two brothers and one great-granddaughter.

The Funeral Mass for Francis will be on Saturday, January 26, 2013 at 2:00PM in the River Park Chapel Macken Funeral Home.  Visitation will be two hours prior the service at the River Park Chapel with Rev. Paul Nelson officiating.  Burial will be at Calvary Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be given to a charity of the donor's choice.

Online condolences are welcome at www.mackenfuneralhome.com.