Obituary of Fred W. Mansfield

My precious father, Fred W. Mansfield, currently of Blue Island, IL and a snowbird of St. Petersburg, FL passed into God’s holy embrace with gracious dignity and on his own terms; true to his incredible spirit and character on January 15, 2017. Celebrating his extraordinary life are his beloved daughter, Jennifer, sister Roberta “Bert” (Jim) Workman, brother-in-law Russell “Russ” (Anne) Dorland, nieces and nephews Janine nee Everhart (the late Joel Thompson) Katonah, Cynthia nee Everhart Janklow, Marylee nee Everhart (Thomas) O'Connor, Stephanie nee Everhart (Steven) Porter, Kelly Clark Everhart, Timothy (Meredith) Everhart, Teresa nee France (Rick) Blythe, Janine nee France (Steve) Danner, Joe (Tanna) France, Mark (Beverly) Dorland, Michelle nee Dorland (Randy) Butler, Randy Rose, cousin Kay Frances nee Delbridge Keck and numerous great and great-great nieces and nephews. Greeting Dad when he arrived in heaven was my Mom, who was the absolute love of his life, Patricia “Pat” nee Dorland Mansfield (they met on a blind date), his parents the late Kathryn Bell Clark and the late Frederick R. Mansfield, his late step father Clifford Rose, Sr., his sisters the late Bette (late Ted) Keller and late Mary (late Harvey) Everhart, his step brother the late Clifford “Cliff” (the late Lucille “Lu”) Rose and countless friends, loved ones and departed pets, especially Tiffany Ann Mansfield. My dad grew up on a farm in Central Illinois near Bluff City. He was driving tractors and semi-trucks before he was a teenager. He showed his pet horse Foxxy (BTW - correct spelling) at Illinois county and state fairs, had a favorite pet goat, fished in the Illinois River and played ‘real’ Cowboys and Indians bareback on Foxxy thru the hills behind the farm. Before finishing high school, Dad joined the US Army and served in Korea then returned back home to finish school. After graduation, Dad served a second tour with the Army as a Military Police Officer based in Chicago, IL at the beginning of WW II. He then settled down in Havana, IL and worked as a funeral director, bookkeeper, an ambulance driver and a store manager when his girlfriend (my Mom) convinced him to apply for a job at a bank that was soon to open in town. Dad proudly told the story countless times (and Oh My !! … could my Dad tell stories …..) of how he took the very first deposit at the State Bank of Havana, IL, as Assistant Cashier, when it opened in the early 1950’s. Three years later, Mom and Dad moved to Astoria, IL when dad became the Cashier at Farmer’s State Bank. In 1961, they moved to Blue Island when Dad was invited to take the position of Assistant Vice President at First National Bank of Blue Island where he ultimately reached the role of President and Chief Operating Officer. After retirement, Dad continued to serve the bank and the community as the President and Director of Great Lakes Charitable Foundation for several years. Dad was an active member of Christ Memorial United Church of Christ of Blue Island, served on the District 218 School Board, sponsored and sang with the Blue Island Community Chorus, was the former President of the Blue Island Chamber of Commerce, was a distinguished private and corporate donor to St. Francis Hospital in Blue Island (now MetroSouth) and an integral leader in the founding of Blue Cap School in Blue Island. Dad was a Certified Lay Leader in the Methodist Church, a Shriner in the Chanter’s Unit and a 50 Year Master Mason. Dad loved to golf! His hobby was wood working skillfully designing and building everything from our screened in porch to my beautiful three story dollhouse. Cheers, Daddy !! Visitation will be held Friday, January 20, 2017 from 3:00 pm until 8:00 pm at the Krueger Funeral Home, 13050 S. Greenwood Ave., Blue Island. He will be lying in state Saturday, from 10:00 am until the time of service at 11:00 am at Christ Memorial United Church of Christ, 2440 York St., Blue Island. Interment will take place at First Ev. Lutheran Cemetery, Alsip. If you would like to contribute in Fred's memory, donations may be directed to Blue Cap School, 1962 Broadway, Blue Island, IL 60406 www.blue-cap.org.