Francis B. “Fronze” Walker, 94, of Bloomsdale died Aug. 9, 2017, at Baisch Nursing Home in De Soto. Mr. Walker was a World War II veteran of the U.S. Army and retired from River Cement Co. (now Buzzi Unicem) in 1987. He organized American Legion Post 554 in Bloomsdale and managed the Legion Little League baseball team. He was a member of St. Agnes Parish, Knights of Columbus Council 1848 and Ste. Genevieve Elks Lodge 2674. He enjoyed hunting, trapping, playing pitch, horseshoes and watching the St. Louis Cardinals. Born July 11, 1923, in Bloomsdale, he was the son of the late Odile (Mueller) and Joseph Walker.
He is survived by his wife of 71 years: Armildia E. (Coleman) Walker of Ste. Genevieve; two sons: Gregory L. (special friend Phyllis Roth) Walker of Crystal City and Dennis W. (Dexter) Walker of Bloomsdale; two daughters: Gale D. (Mitch) Bielecki of Springfield and Susette M. (Earl) Viox of Bloomsdale; a sister-in-law: Norma Jean Walker of Bloomsdale; six grandchildren: Jarrod Viox, Laura Schweiss, Jill Davis, Jason Viox, Karina Bielecki and Benjamin Walker; and nine-great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by three brothers: Arthur J. Walker, Ernest C. Walker and Kenneth J. Walker; a sister: Rose Ann Drury; a brother-in-law: Stanley Drury; and a sister-in-law: Alice Walker.
Visitation is scheduled from 4-8 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 13, at Basler Funeral Home, 685 Center Drive, in Ste. Genevieve. Visitation is from 8-9:30 a.m. on Sunday, Aug. 13, at the funeral home, and a funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. Monday, Aug. 14, at St. Agnes Church, 40 St. Agnes Drive, in Bloomsdale, the Rev. William Thess and Deacon Jim Basler officiating. Burial with military honors will be in the St. Agnes Cemetery in Bloomsdale. Memorials may be made to the Bloomsdale Catholic Foundation, Safe Harbor Hospice or in the form of Masses. Arrangements are under the direction of Basler Funeral Home.