Francis Chavie

Francis Chavie January 28, 1923 - September 7, 2008

Francis Chavie Sr., age 85, of Faribault, died on Sunday, September 7, 2008 at the District One Hospital in Faribault, following a sudden illness. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, September 12, 2008 at 10:30 at Divine Mercy Catholic Church at Sacred Heart in Faribault. Interment will be held at Calvary Cemetery in Faribault with military honors provided by the Rice County Central Veterans Organization. Visitation will be held at the Parker Kohl Funeral Home in Faribault on Thursday from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. and on Friday for one hour prior to services at the church. Francis Louis Chavie Sr., the son of Vincent and Cecelia (Caron) Chavie, was born on January 28, 1923 in Shieldsville Township, Rice County, MN. Francis worked at Wilson Packing Co. from 1941 to 1943. In March of 1943 he began serving in the U.S. Army until Jan. of 1946. Upon his discharge, Francis attended refrigeration school and upon completion started working for Leo Jarvis before starting Chavie Refrigeration and working his business for over 40 years until his retirement. On October 2, 1946 he was united in marriage to Leona Jackson at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Faribault. Mrs. Chavie preceded him in death on November 4, 2003. Francis was a member of the Faribault Aerie 1460 Fraternal Order of Eagles, VFW Post 1562 and the Faribault Moose Lodge. Francis enjoyed spending time with his family and traveling. He is survived by nine children, Linda Englander of Lisle, IL, Lois (Bill) Kelly of Holliston, MA, Philip Chavie of Burnsville, MN, Michael (Joan) Chavie of Faribault, Dale (Charlene) Chavie of Anchorage, AK, Jean (Chuck) Silkey of Faribault, Kay (Darrel) Franke of Farmington, MN, Francis Jr. (Shawn Brunner) Chavie of Faribault, and Brian (Kelly) Chavie of Faribault; 23 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren; his brother, Ray (Brenda) Chavie of Faribault; three sisters, Lorraine Walters of Houston, TX, Marion (Francis) McHugo of Faribault and Alice (Gene) Glende of Faribault; two sisters-in-law, Doris Keech and Elaine Chavie, both of Faribault; and other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife Leona in 2003; two brothers, LaVerne and Wilfred Chavie and two brothers in infancy, Alfred and Emery Chavie; and three sisters, Louise (Gare) Kubinski, Elaine Peterson and Arlene Kath. Memorials may be directed to Faribault Area Hospice.