Francis Sammon

Francis E. Sammon, age 91, of Faribault, died Thursday, January 15, 2009 at the District One Hospital in Faribault.             Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, January 19, 2009 at 10:00 a.m. at the Divine Mercy Catholic Church, at Sacred Heart, in Faribault with the Rev. Kevin Finnegan, pastor officiating. Interment will be held at the Calvary Cemetery in Faribault with military honors provided by the Rice County Central Veterans Association.             Visitation will be held at the Parker Kohl Funeral Home in Faribault on Sunday from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. and at the church on Monday for one hour prior to services.             Francis Emmett, the son of Joseph and Anna (Gillespie) Sammon, was born on July 14, 1917 in Warsaw Township, Rice County, MN. In 1941, Francis was inducted into the U.S. Army during World War II and served until 1945 with the 76th Field Artillery.   While in the service Francis earned the American Theater Ribbon, the Eastern Theater Ribbon with 4 Bronze Service Stars, the World War II Victory Medal, the European African Medal, the Good Conduct Medal and the French Jubilee of Liberty Medal. On October 28, 1942 he was united in marriage to Helen Stav at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Faribault. Helen preceded him in death on December 19, 2008. After his service time Francis worked as the manager of the meat department for National Tea and later worked for over 20 years as the Chief Cook at the Faribault Regional Center. Francis enjoyed spending time at the Faribault Senior Center playing cards, watching the Twins and spending time with all of his family and all family gatherings. He also enjoyed volunteering and did this as a van driver for veterans who needed rides to the VA Hospital in Minneapolis and also as a member of the Honor Guard for the Rice County Central Veterans Association. Francis was a member of the Disabled American Veterans, the Knights of Columbus Council 889, the VFW Post 1562 and the Faribault Aerie 1460 Fraternal Order of Eagles, all in Faribault.  Francis had also been active in the Bethlehem Academy Athletics Association in the past.             He is survived by his four children, Patrick (Marion) Sammon, Michael "Mick" (Katie) Sammon and Becky Sammon, all of Faribault and Peter (Jeana) Sammon of Apple Valley, MN; by 9 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren; by two brothers, Jack Sammon and Raymond (Caroline) Sammon, both of Faribault; by five sisters, Theresa Van Zuilen of West Concord, Florence (and Albert) Maas of Medford, Genevieve (and Homer) Guimond of Shakopee, Marion (and Ray) Pirkl of Owatonna, and Norita Reuvers of Faribault and by several nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, his granddaughter, Emma Claire Sammon, by three  sisters, Irene Sammon, Catherine Maas and Evelyn Sammon, by five brothers, Myron, Donald, William, Charles and George Sammon and by his step mother, Mary Hanley Sammon.