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- February 28, 2008
Demerath, Francis J. "Shorty"
Francis "Shorty" Demerath, age 87, passed away Tuesday, February 26, 2008, at St. Elizabeth Hospital, Appleton. He was born March 22, 1920, in Appleton, the son of Frank and Anna (Koestler) Demerath. On August 22, 1956, he married Lorraine DeCoster at St. John Catholic Church in Little Chute and she preceded him in death October 31, 1999. He was a graduate of the University of Marquette College of Engineering and was a member of Tau Beta Pi, the National All Engineering Honor Society, along with their alumni association. Mr. Demerath was employed at Kimberly Clark Corporation as a mechanical design engineer in Kimberly and Neenah until retiring in 1985. He was a past member of Fox Valley Golf Course and Heart of the Valley Golden K. He served as President and Lieutenant Governor for Golden K. He was a lifelong member of St. John Catholic Church where he was a dedicated volunteer at the St. John Food Pantry and as an usher, lector and commentator. He had a devout dedication to his Catholic faith and his family. Francis enjoyed woodworking and gardening and traveling with his wife. In the past several years, he became quite the cook and baker. He enjoyed having people over for meals or making baked goods for them. Annual family get-togethers up north were a highlight. He loved fishing and watching his grandkids have fun together.
He is survived by four daughters: Clare (Mike) Cloghessy, Gardiner, Montana; Joan (Mark) Bouman, Cambodia; Katie (Greg) Albers, Little Chute; Lucy (Gene) Wyka, Grafton; two sons, Nick (Mary), Little Chute; Luke (Cassie), Kimberly; 18 grandchildren: Sam, Mitchell and Monica Cloghessy; Andrew and Nicholas Bouman; Alexandra, Charlie and Jed Albers; Joe, Nate and Liana Wyka; Dominic, James, Jordan and Kevin Demerath; and Kathryn, Elizabeth and Will Demerath; five brothers: Joe, Mike (Dee), Peter (Gerry), Leon (Rosalie) and Al; two sisters: Theresa Sears and Betty (Dave) Maas; several brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his loving wife, Lorraine, five sisters: Edith (Russ) Fulcer, Rita (Leo) Bogenschultz, Mary (Elmer) VanderWyst, Ann (Earl) Van Hammond and Gloria (infant sister) as well as his sisters and brother in-law Jan Demerath, Ray Sears and Elly Demerath and other relatives.
Funeral services will be held at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, March 1, 2008, at St. John Nepomucene Catholic Church, Little Chute, with Fr. James Hablewitz officiating. Interment will be in St. John Cemetery, Little Chute. Friends may call at the church from 9 a.m. Saturday until the time of the mass. A memorial fund has been established in his name.
The family wishes to thank the staff of St. Paul Villa, Kaukauna. A special thanks to Dr. Alan Cherkasky and his staff for all their years of dedicated care.
Verkuilen Funeral Home
& Cremation Services
Little Chute 920-788-3321
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