Francis Bybee

Francis B. Bybee, 90, of Ottawa, Illinois passed away Wednesday, January 20, 2016 at OSF St. Elizabeth Medical Center.

Memorial Services will be held at a later date.

Francis was born September 21, 1925 in West Brooklyn, Illinois to Buren and Jennie (Vincent) Bybee. He married Margaret Roloff on August 19, 1950 at Amboy Congregational Church. He served in the Army for the Pacific Theater during WWII, from 1945-1946. He farmed from 1947-1969 and was county manager for the Illinois Farm Bureau for 30 years. He also was a member of Shriners, the Eastern Star, Knights Templar, American Legion, VFW, Elks, Boat Club, and Kiwanis Club, and a very active member at church. He was manager of LaSalle Junior Fair Association, and a Boy Scot and 4-H leader.

He is survived by his wife, Margaret; four sons, John of Douglas, Georgia; Steven (Debbie) of Ottawa, Illinois; Jeff (Barbara) of Mt. Vernon, Iowa, and Scott of Rockton, Illinois; one son-in-law, Robert Hoaglund of Fort Wayne, Indiana; grandchildren, Deanna (Jeff) Negrotto, Jennifer Marshall, Sarah (Chuk) Sherman, Tom (Molly), Jonathan, Brighton, Carrington, Brittany, and Rebecca Bybee; Melissa (Matt) Ekwinski, and Mark Hoaglund; great-grandchildren, Kristina, Alyssa, Austin, Aubrey, Olivia, and Landon; one sister, Rita Richardson of Davis Junction, Illinois; and twenty nieces and nephews.

Francis was preceded in death by his daughter, Susan Hoaglund; his parents, two sisters, Marie Ponto and Ruth Book; two brothers, Robert and Donald Bybee; and daughter-in-law, Celeste Bybee.

Memorials may be directed to the First Congregational United Church of Christ.