Francis Eugene Dammann

Francis Eugene Dammann, 85, of Albuquerque New Mexico passed away after a lengthy illness on February 8th, 2017 with some of his local family present. Francis lived most of his life in Rockford IL but moved to New Mexico to be near his son Preston and his wife Mary in 2005 when he became ill.Francis was born on July 31st,1931 in Freeport Illinois. He was the son of Fred and Lauretta (Sager) Dammann. and he had one half brother.Our dad was a long-haul-trucker for 53 ½ years and enjoyed all those years on the open road. He started driving after WWll in the 1950's.Some of the rigs he enjoyed driving were the Freightliner, Peterbilt, Kenworth and a Diamond Rio, but his favorite semi to drive was the MACK truck. Dad taught all of us boys how to work on his semi's at a very young age by helping him to rebuild his own work trucks. Because of those years of wrenching some of us have become master mechanics to his credit.Dad was a "rough around the edges" man who was very talented with his hands and enjoyed drawing, wood carving and collecting scale model cars, semi trucks and trailers. Francis is survived by 7 sons, 2 daughters,13 grandchildren and 16 great children. His children are: Henry E.(Gene) Dammann of Rockford IL, John (Cindy) Dammann of Greenwood, WI, Ray Dammann of Winebago, IL, Bruce Dammann of Rockford IL, Preston (Mary) Dammann of Tijeras, NM. Bill (Lisa) Dammann of Phoenix, AZ, Jenine (Dammann) McNitt of Rockford IL, Diana (Loren) Wolf of Sterling IL, and Tim Dammann of Rockford IL.His Grandchildren are: Tammy Dammann, Robin Epperson, John (Becky) Dammann, Michelle Ward, Brian Dammann, Paul (Aryssa Nichols) Dammann, Danny (Jennifer Kilgore) Dammann, Angela (William) Gowan,Charity Dammann, Kevin Dammann, Kenneth Dammann, David McNitt and Heather Wolf.His Great Grandchildren are: Mike and Violet Epperson, Nicholas, Bryanna, Abagail and Emma Ward, Sophia Dammann, Logan, Daniel, Tyler, and Tony Dammann, Will and Jonathan Gowan, Phoebe Dammann, Sheldon and Leanardo Dammann. Mr. Francis Dammann was preceeded in death by his mother when he was 8 years old and later by his half brother John Amling, his first born daughter Lenore Ann Dammann in infancy, three young grand children;Melissa Dammann, Henry and Melissa Dammann and a great grandchild pre-birth named Ameila Dammann.At Dad's request there will be no funeral service as he chose cremation. His son Ray will accept him in Winebago, IL for a small and intimate family remembrance service. " When someone you love becomes a memory...that memory becomes a treasure." Arrangements entrusted to: Riverside Funeral Home 225 San Mateo Blvd NE (505) 764-9663