Frank "Lindy" Fancher, 95, World War II Veteran Fought in the Battle of the Bulge

The following obituary was submitted by Lori Fancher:

Frank “Lindy” Fancher, 95, formerly of Merrill Gardens in Roswell, passed away at 6:40 p.m. Dec. 26, 2014.

Frank was born on May 19, 1919, in Hart County, Kentucky. Surviving Frank are his two daughters, Ara (Rich) Croce of Half Moon Bay, California; and Marianne Daughety, of Bethlehem; son, James “Jim”(Lori) Fancher of Milton; five granddaughters; five grandsons; 17 great-grandchildren; and two brothers Dean (Ellen) and Dale (Ollie) Fancher. His parents and sister Irene Lancaster preceded him in death.

In 1940, Frank enlisted and served in the American Theater of Operations in Central & South America that included a significant covert operation for the FBI (prior to the formation of the CIA).

During World War II, Frank served as a 2nd lieutenant and fought in the Battle of the Bulge, Ardennes Battle and received his Battle Field Commission in Luxembourg by Gen. George Patton, who he served under at the time and referred to him as “mad dog.” He was a recipient of the Silver Star and Purple Heart, among others.

While in Paris recovering from wounds, he conducted operations for the Criminal Investigations Division (CID). Memberships include the National Order of Battlefield Commissions, Military Order of the Ardens, Yugoslav War Cross and Veterans of the Battle of the Bulge.

He wrote about his World War II experiences in a book, “WW II Through These Eyes.” After WWII, Frank served as a civilian pilot, Captain Operation Officer in Lincoln Sq. Civil Air Patrol (Search and Rescue).

Civic organizations include: American Legion, Roswell Post 201, among many others. Up until the last year of his life, he continued volunteering his time in the nearby schools, including Roswell High School where he often taught young people about the second world war and freedom.

Services for Frank will be 4 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 3, 2015, at either Lincoln Christian Church or Fricke-Calvert-Schrader Funeral Home in Lincoln, IL.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be given to an organization he loved, the Heritage in Flight Museum, 1351 Airport, Lincoln, IL 62656; (217) 732-3333.

Photo credit: Lori Fancher