Greiner, Francis William

Francis William Greiner, a lifetime resident of Sigourney, Iowa, died at 4:45 a.m. Sunday, August 22, 2010, at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City. Francis was born June 6, 1935, at the family home north of Sigourney, Iowa, to Mathias Raymond Greiner and Luanna S. (Gross) Greiner. He married Judith Clairann Northup on April 4, 1959, at St. Mary's Catholic Church by the Rev. James Mackin in Sigourney.

Francis attended school in Webster, Iowa, through the fifth grade, and then Sigourney, from sixth through 12th grades. He was active and successful in football and basketball and many clubs. He was a lifetime member of the Saint Mary's Catholic Church in Sigourney, and faithfully served the parish as an altar boy, lector and religious educator. Francis honorably served six years as an Army Reservist. Francis farmed from 1954 until 1985. He then worked at Louis Rich in Sigourney, and later Sigourney Foods, until retiring in 2008.

Francis actively served his community. He served as president of St. Mary's School Board and the Sigourney School Board. He was a charter member of the Sigourney Kiwanis and Sigourney Pride, and served as president of Sigourney Pride for two years. Francis was president of the Sigourney Little League for two terms and coordinated the Little Savage Wrestling Tournament for many years. He was selected Sigourney Jaycee's Outstanding Young Farmer in 1967. He was a member of the Keokuk County Pork Producers, and served three years on the board, one year as president. He was a member of the Keokuk County Cattlemen's Association, and served on the board for three years, one year as president. He served on the Iowa Cattlemen's Commodity Board for one year. Francis was a proud supporter of his children and grandchildren in all of their activities.

Survivors include his wife of 51 years, Judy Greiner of Sigourney; seven children, Cynthia (Dan) Carluccio of Denver, Colo., Anthony (Janet) Greiner of St. Louis, Mo., Joseph (Jane) Greiner of Coralville, Kathleen (Clint) Cason of Ottumwa, Michael Greiner of Sigourney, Thomas (Kathy) Greiner of Spring Valley, Minn., and Gregory (Barbara) Greiner of Des Moines; 11 granddaughters; four grandsons; two great-grandsons; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Edna Eisma; and brother, Harold Greiner.

Mass of Christian burial will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, August 28, 2010. at St. Mary's Catholic Church, 415 E. Pleasant Valley St., Sigourney. A luncheon will follow. A private burial will be held at the Pleasant Grove Cemetery, Sigourney.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions will be accepted, which will be designated to various charities.

Online condolences may be sent for his family through the web at