Floyd Caron

Floyd J. Caron, age 70, of Faribault, passed away on Thursday, January 21, 2010 at the Kenyon Sunset Home in Kenyon, MN following an extended illness.   Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, January 26, 2010 at 10:30 a.m. at the First English Lutheran Church in Faribault, with Rev. Michael Mandsager, officiating. Entombment will be at the Meadow Ridge Memorial Park Mausoleum in Faribault. Military honors will be provided by the Rice County Central Veterans Association.   Visitation will be held at the Parker Kohl Funeral Home in Faribault on Monday from 3:00 to 8:00 p.m. and on Tuesday for one hour prior to the services at the church.   Floyd John Caron was born on February 7, 1939 to Arthur and Luella (Schulz) Caron in Faribault, MN. He attended country school across from where he lived through 6th grade. One of his teachers was his Aunt Gertrude Caron. He attended Faribault Junior High School and graduated from Faribault Senior High School in 1957. After graduation Floyd joined the Army and was a member of the USA Engineer Corp. He took Diesel Mechanic training and then became an instructor in that field. He was also a Liquid Oxygen Nitrogen Specialist and was the instructor on the procedure of fueling with liquid oxygen for the U.S. Army Redstone Rocket that launched Explorer I into space on January 31, 1958. He was a resident of Cannon City Township for most of his life. He married Barbara Jenne in June 1958. They were later divorced. He married Lila Mills on May 22, 1976 in Faribault. He was an only child so his wish was to have a large family; a wish that was granted through a blended family. At one time he was a foster parent but his real love was the Boy Scouts. He was very active in Scouting, serving in many positions during the twenty years that he was a registered leader. He especially enjoyed being the Eagle Scout Specialist on the Rolling Hills District Eagle Board of Review committee where it was through his contact with scouts that he was able to encourage many of them to attain the rank of Eagle Scout. During his tenure over 200 scouts in the District became Eagle Scouts. He also served for a few years as a member of the Rice County Mounted Posse. Although he was at one time a Licensed Journeyman Plumber he had a dream of owning his own business. In 1977 he opened his shop, Caron Service Center, and was owner/operator for 30 years but had to retire when he was diagnosed with cancer in November of 2007.   He is survived by his wife, Lila; three daughters, Susanne (Bruce) Benson, Patricia Caron, and Lisa (Neil) Wadekamper; two adopted sons, John Mills (fiancée Jeannette Wilson) and Matt Mills; stepdaughter, Lois Price; and stepson, David Mills; 12 grandchildren, Ann Benson, Alex Benson, Laura Benson, Travis Kern, Meghan Kern, Jennifer Thompson, Katherine Wadekamper, Jordan Price; Branden Prigge, Jessica Prigge, Sam Wilson, Zachary Weston, and four great grandchildren, Katherine Ohde, Gage Thompson, Myles Thompson, and Bennett Shelton.   He was preceded in death by his parents; a step-daughter, Cathy Mills; and a step son-in-law, Richard Price.   Memorials may be directed to Faribault Area Hospice, Rolling Hills District BSA Interpreter Services.