Francis F. Schweickert

Francis F.Schweickert 84 of Illinois Veterans Home of La Salle, formerly of Peru, went to the Lord at 4:25 AM January 18 following an extended illness. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10: 30 AM Thursday at St Mary’s Church. Monsignor J. Brian Rejsek and Rev Gregory Jarzombek will con celebrate Peru Veterans Memorial Group will conduct Military Rites. Burial will be private at later date in St Valentine Cemetery. Visitation will be Thursday morning in the church from 9:00 – 10:30 AM. Ptak Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements. Mr. Schweickert was born January 27, 1931 in La Salle to Felix and Margaret (Cotter) Schweickert. After graduating from St Bede Academy in 1948, he was drafted by the US Army. Upon completion of Basic Airborn training at Ft. Benning, GA, he served as an instructor in the 82nd Airborn division, Ft Bragg, NC. He was honorably discharged in December 1953. He married Pauline Guziec May 15, 1954 at St Mary’s Church. Mr. Schweickert is survived by his wife of 61 years Pauline of Peru , sons David of Toluca and Steven of Peru, daughters Mary Beth Schweickert of Arcata, Ca., Julie (Cliff) Hawley of Lombard, IL, Therese Schweickert of Peru and Ann (Brad) Lamboley of Granville. Grandsons David Schweickert, Lucas Hawley and Benjamin Lamboley and granddaughters Kathryn Hawley, Meghan Moody and Grace Lamboley as well as 5 Great Grandchildren. He is also survived by a brother John of Vaccaville, CA, sisters Rita Warren of North Glenn, CO, Therese Scweickert of Memphis, TN, Judith Schweickert of Forest Park, IL and Noreen Schweickert of Peru. Mr. Schweickert was well known in the trades as a skilled Brick Mason with over 50 years of service and a member of the bricklayers Union Local #6. He was a member of St Mary’s Church. In the 1980’s Mr. Schweickert became a passionate crusader for the plight of the eastern Bluebird. To that end, he built, distributed and monitored hundreds of bluebird houses in La Salle County and beyond, many of which still stand today. His story was featured in a 1985 News Tribune article. Mr. Schweickert was preceded in death by his beloved son Mark Francis, his parents, brother Joseph and Kenneth, sisters Mary Ellen, Margaret, Patricia and Catherine. Memorials may be directed toward Masses or the Illinois Veterans Home of La Salle.