In loving memory of

Francis Nicholas Schealler
July 10, 1927 - October 5, 2017

A Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 10:30 a.m., Monday, October 9, 2017 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Graettinger. Burial is in St. Jacob's Catholic Cemetery, Graettinger. The family will greet friends from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m., Sunday at the Joyce-Alesch Funeral Home in Graettinger where there will be a parish vigil service at 3:30 p.m. Memorials may be directed to the Graettinger Senior Center or the Iowa Right to Life Committee.

Francis Nicholas Schealler, son of Albert and Ann Genevieve (Laubenthal) Schealler was born July 10, 1927 on a farm, first corner south of Depew, IA and 1 ½ miles east on the south side of the road. Francis graduated from Graettinger High School in 1945, and he enlisted in the United States Army serving in Korea from 1946 to 1947.

On November 29, 1952, Francis was united in marriage to Doris Wobbe at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Graettinger. The couple raised their children in Graettinger, where they worked and volunteered for numerous community organizations. Francis worked for Arnold Alesch and Heidecker's DX before owning and operating the Skelly Service Station. He later opened Schealler's Body Shop and Fur Company. He also enjoyed driving school bus, hauling freight, and farming.

Francis was very active in the community. He was past president of the Graettinger School Board, a Right to Life Supporter, volunteer for the Graettinger Fire Department and he delivered Meals on Wheels. He was a member of the Graettinger Business Club, the Nelson-Christiansen American Legion Post #162 of Graettinger. In addition, Francis was a faithful member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church where he attended daily mass, ushered for mass and funerals, and was a member of the Knights of Columbus.

Francis had numerous hobbies and interests. In his youth, he enjoyed boxing, wrestling, baseball and tinkering with mechanical things. He enjoyed piloting a plane, loved to golf, fish and was an avid pool player. He also liked to ride his bicycle and motorcycle, play cards and put together puzzles. Francis loved to go on vacations with the family. He enjoyed the cars he owned, and he knew first hand all of their top speeds, but his favorite thing was going dancing with Doris.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Doris; children: Ann Turletti (Luigi) of Sioux City, Kathryn Helmich (Steve) of Graettinger, Jerome Schealler of
Estherville, Alan Schealler (Brenda) of Sioux Rapids, and Paul Schealler (Kathy) of Madrid; sister, Clara Mae Bonstead; sister-in-law, Margaret Wobbe; fourteen grandchildren; and 19 great-grandchildren.

Francis was preceded in death by his parents; son-in-law, Daniel F. Welsh; brothers-in-law, Avery Bonstead and Bernard Bormann; sisters-in-law: Beatrice Johnson, Wilma Bormann and Gertrude Wobbe, and nephew: Brian Bonstead.

Tributes

Dan Johnson and Family wrote on Oct 8, 2017:

"I am so sorry I cannot make it tomorrow, but my thoughts and prayers are with you guys as we remember every nickel that was given to me by Great Uncle Francis for the coldest and most flavorful soda in all of Iowa....nothing better on those hot days while we screwed off in downtown Graettinger and throughout the countryside."

Mary Hartman wrote on Oct 8, 2017:

"My sympathy to you Kathy, your Mom and the rest of your family. Know you have lots of good memories to get you thorough the coming days. Prayers for all."

Janet Galm wrote on Oct 8, 2017:

"I have lots of memories of my childhood with the family. Going to their house and going with my family even after we movedwe have kept in touch. He will b missed by all. He was a great man. I remember when dad and Francis worked together at the station. He was a soft heart would help anyone. My prayers go out to Doris, Ann and family. "

Shannon Baas wrote on Oct 7, 2017:

"Sorry to heatr of Francis's death. I have a lot of wonderful memories from back when Stacy and Paul played together in the band many years ago."

Mary Herke wrote on Oct 6, 2017:

"Something that hit me this morning about Francis is he never called me by my name. It was always Kid. I will probably never be called Kid again: not at my age. I spent a lot of time as a child with the Schealler family. . .such wonderful memories. We still have a connection. Francis' and Doris' grandson is married to our daughter. Such wonderful people to have a lifelong connection."

Sharon Gray Lachner wrote on Oct 6, 2017:

"sorry to hear about Francis. My condolences to the family. A lot of good memories."