Sioux City - Francis L. "Roy" Stansberry, 89, of Sioux City died Thursday, Sept. 5, 2013, at his residence after a short battle with pulmonary fibrosis.
Services will be 1 p.m. Tuesday at River Hills Church in South Sioux City, with the Rev. Kevin Roach officiating. Burial will be Memorial Park Cemetery, Sioux City. Visitation will be 11 a.m. until service time at the church. Arrangements are under the direction of Larken Chapel, Christy-Smith Funeral Home.
Francis was born Aug. 28, 1924, in Walthill, Neb., the son of Charles and Sula (Roberts) Stansberry. Francis grew up on the family farm. He worked for the railroad, for Armour packing plant and then for Olson Demolition, tearing down several old buildings within a 100-mile radius of Sioux City.
He married Gladys Chesley on Dec. 26, 1949. He later married Elaine Mercer Wilde, and she was the love of his life. They were married until her death on Mother’s Day in 2010.
He was a long-standing member of River Hills Assembly of God Church. His children and grandchildren brought the greatest joy to his life. He always had time for them and never said no to any of them. He loved music and he loved to dance. He enjoyed golfing, his vegetable garden, and prided himself on his manicured lawn. He also loved meeting his many friends for his daily coffee or tea and spirited conversation.
Survivors include his three children, Pamela Valencia of Sioux City, Toni Archibald and her husband, Steven of Sioux City, and Mark Stansberry of Sioux City; a stepdaughter, Connie Wilde; a stepson, Dennis Wilde and his wife, Cheri of Sioux City; six grandsons; four great-grandchildren; two sisters, Lois Griggs of California, and Mildred Beach of Oregon; a brother and his wife, Charles and Dorothy Stansberry of South Sioux; and numerous nieces and nephews, who all believed they were Uncle Roy’s favorite. There is also a big, old, gray cat with white feet that will miss his lap terribly.
He is preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Morris Stansberry and Gayle Stansberry; and seven sisters, Norma Archer, Thelma Queen, Vera Stansberry, Edith Hyatt, Lela Vartolozzi, Joanne Cowell and Eunice Raub.
Pallbearers will be Shane Eik, Christopher Miller, Conner Stansberry, Bryce Stansberry, Bill Brooks and Marcus Curiel.