Dateline: Jerseyville
Franklin R. Fitzgibbons entered the kingdom of Heaven from Alton Memorial Hospital at 7:08 a.m. on Monday, May 19, 2014. He was surrounded by his children and grandchildren. Frank was born in Jersey County on January 28, 1938, the son of Thomas and Helen (Vahle) Fitzgibbons. He graduated from Marquette High School in 1956 and studied engineering at the University of Missouri-Rolla, where he was a member of the Phi Kappa Theta fraternity. He was also a member of the United States Army Reserve. After graduating college in 1960, Frank began his career with Owens Illinois, where he worked until his retirement. He married the love of his life, Bonnie (Downing) Fitzgibbons on October 22, 1965 in Alton, and they shared 46 wonderful years before her passing in 2011. Frank is survived by his two daughters; Karla (Seeram) Garney of Alton and Tina Branham of Brighton, as well as a son, Joel Cox, and another son, Dennis Cox both of Jerseyville. He is survived by eight grandchildren; Jason Cox, Jennifer (James) Shaw, Seeram Garney Jr., Sasha (Simon) Hall, Todd Cox, Jeremy (Mindy) Cox, Chad (Kim) Cox, and Tiffany (Justin) Branham-Steinkuehler, and 20 great grandchildren. Also surviving are two sisters; Betty Kelley of Alton and Mary (Harold) Berghoff of Alton, a brother, Jim (Louise) Fitzgibbons of North Carolina, and two sisters-in-law, Darlene Fitzgibbons and Gloria Fitzgibbons both of Jerseyville. He will also be dearly missed by his beloved dog, Midnight. Frank was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Bonnie, two brothers, Leo and William Fitzgibbons, and a son, Glendale W. Cox. Frank was a member of the Alton Motorboat club and enjoyed cruising the river and camping with his family and friends. He was a longtime member of the St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Jerseyville, and a member of the Gold Emblem Club of Retirees from Alton Mold Manufacturing of Owens IL Inc. Visitation will be from 4:00-8:00 p.m. Wednesday, May 21, 2014 at Gent Funeral Home in Alton. A Mass of Christian burial will be at 10:00 a.m. Thursday, May 22, 2014 at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Jerseyville. Father Patrick Gibbons will officiate. Burial will be at Valhalla Memorial Park in Godfrey with full military honors by the VFW Post 1308. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Riverbend Humane Society, or an animal shelter or charity of your choice.


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