V. Frances McCarthy's Obituary
Versa Frances "Fran" McCarthy 97, of Centerville, passed away Wednesday, March 15th, 2023 at Centerville Specialty Care.
Fran was born on August 28, 1925, the daughter of Bill & Orpha (Howe) Ricketts. Fran and her four siblings grew up in Seymour, where she graduated high school in 1943. Following graduation, she went to welding school and worked in a War Plant in Rock Island, Illinois, where B26 bomber plane parts were being made until the end of World War II.
Fran met the love of her life, Bud, in 1944 before he left for WWII. She wrote to him while he was overseas and they were married on June 26, 1947 in Rock Island, IL. They welcomed their son, John, on July 14, 1949. They lived in Rock Island, IL area until moving to Centerville in 1963.
Fran was preceded in death by her parents, Bill & Orpha Ricketts; husband, Bud; siblings, LaVelle Elswick, Lottie (Willis) Brown, Nola (Lester) Brown, and Allen Rickets.
Left to honor her memory are her son John (Claudia) McCarthy; granddaughters, Jackie, Shawna eight great-grandchildren; ten Great-Great-Grandchildren; her sister-in-law, Shirley Ricketts; as well as many nieces, nephews and friends.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11AM, Saturday, March 18, 2023 at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Centerville with Fr. Timothy Armbruster, C.P.P.S. officiating. Entombment will follow at Oakland Cemetery in Centerville. Visitation will take place Saturday, March 18, 2023 at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Centerville with the family greeting friends from 10-11AM. Memorials in memory of Fran may be written to either Boys Town or to St. Mary's Catholic Church, and may be mailed to Thomas Funeral Home, ATTN: McCarthy family, 501 North 18th Street, Centerville, Iowa 52544. Condolences may be shared online at www.thomasfh.com or on our funeral home Facebook page.
What’s your fondest memory of V. Frances?
What’s a lesson you learned from V. Frances?
Share a story where V. Frances' kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with V. Frances you’ll never forget.
How did V. Frances make you smile?