Pfiffner, Francis X.

Francis X. Pfiffner, 87, of Rowley, died Monday, Jan. 11, 2010, at his home following a sudden illness. Funeral services: 10:30 a.m. Thursday at St. John's Catholic Church, Independence, with Fr. Donald J. Plamondon as celebrant. Burial: Mt. Olivet Catholic Cemetery, Waterloo. Visitation: 3 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at the White Funeral Home, Independence, where there will be a Parish Rosary at 3 p.m., a Vigil Service at 6 p.m., and a Military Memorial Service at 7 p.m.

Memorials will be directed to the Buchanan County Chapter of Cedar Valley Hospice in Independence.

Online condolences may be left at www.white-mthope.com

Francis was born Aug. 1, 1922, in Waterloo, the son of Raymond B. Pfiffner and Johanna A. (Geib) Pfiffner. He graduated from the Dunkerton high school and then served in the U.S. Army during World War II. On Aug. 26, 1966, he was married Anne Frances Kirley in Waterloo. They made their home in Dewar and Jesup before Anne's death on Jan. 4, 1980. He later married Marian Pauline (Kimmerle) Sanford, Aug. 20, 1983, in Rowley. She preceded him in death on Feb. 16, 1988. Before retirement he was employed as a Clerk for the Illinois Central Railroad in Waterloo.

Francis is survived by four brothers, Joseph (Vera) Pfiffner of Waterloo, Herbert (Emma Jean) Pfiffner of Dunkerton, Cletus (Evelyn) Pfiffner of Oelwein, and Vincent (Helen) Pfiffner of Raymond; two sisters, Roberta Kriegel of Brooklyn. and Mary (Gene) Barnes of Vinton; two step daughters, Penny Winning of Florida, and Jody (Frank) Diaz of Denver, Colo.; one step son, Michael (Glenda) Sanford of Chesterfield, Mo.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Anne; his second wife, Marian; and one step son, Lawrence Winning.