J. Francis Arnold

He was born on March 11, 1922 in Macomb, Illinois to Joseph Herman and Ruth Pearce Arnold. He married Elizabeth Jane (Betty)McGraw on July 31, 1944 at St. Paul Catholic Church in Macomb, Illinois.

 Francis or Franny (as he was called all his life by family and friends) grew up in Macomb, Illinois. He worked on the family farm for several years and in the family feed mill. He served in the Army in England during WWII. After an injury, he received a medical discharge and returned to Macomb to marry his sweetheart, Betty.

 Francis and Betty moved to Florida first in 1951 for 2 years before returning to Illinois to help with the family auto salvage business. They returned to Florida in 1964 and enjoyed the Florida life since. He invested in rental property and spent many years as a landlord both in Illinois and Florida.

 Francis loved the outdoors, fishing and hunting small game, gardening and camping. He and Betty spent many vacations over the years seeing all corners of the U.S. with their family and friends, including several trips to Hawaii. The theme for their combined 160th birthday in 2001was Hawaii, with all the guests invited to wear Hawaiian themed outfits.

 Francis was heavily involved in the parish life of St. Cecelia Catholic Church in Clearwater. He was the recipient of the Diocesan St Jude the Apostle award. He was also awarded the Volunteer of the Century Award by the parish. He worked in maintenance at the school and church for many years; he oversaw the construction of the convent on Franklin St., as well as the expansion of the church and construction of the hall and offices. He was an active member of the Knights of Columbus since 1940. He was also a member of the Secular Franciscan Order, St Francis of Assisi Fraternity since 1956. 

He was handy with all kinds of mechanical things. If something needed fixing, it was brought to Francis. He enjoyed figuring out how to make things work again. He would invent anything he needed to get a job done.

 Francis is survived by: - 6 of his 7 children: Paul (Corinne), Clearwater; Ruthanne, Seminole, FL; Patrick, Tampa, FL; Mary Sullivan Clearwater, Margi Prater, Clearwater; Teresa Hill, Lantana; 17 grandchildren as well as many great- and great-great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife, one son, John and 9 of his siblings.

 Cremation will be handled by Anderson McQueen Funeral Home. A Memorial Mass will be held at a later date at St. Cecelia Catholic Church, 820 Jasmine Way, Clearwater. Burial will take place at a later date at Bay Pines VA Memorial Cemetery.

 In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Francis’ name to Pilgrims Peace Center, 9132 W. Wisteria Lane, Crystal River, FL 34429 or to St. Cecelia Catholic Church.