Joseph "Joe" Franchois

Joseph Joe Franchois, 85, of Great Falls passed away Monday, June 29, 2015 at his home.A celebration of life for Joe will be held Thursday, July 9, 2015 at 1:00 p.m. at the Eagles Lodge. Schnider Funeral Home is handling arrangements.Joe was born February 14, 1930 to Joseph S. Franchois and Octa Easterly Butler in Lewistown, Montana. Joe had two sisters, Octa Beverly Franchois and Kathern Franchois.Joe completed high school and enlisted into the United States Navy in January 1948 to support his mother. He enlisted for three years and was extended for one more year due to the outbreak of the Korean War. He spent most of his service time on the USS Saint Paul.After his discharge from the Navy, he returned to Great Falls to continue supporting his mother. He then went to work for the United States Postal Service, where he worked for over thirty years before retiring from there.Joe married his first wife Doreen Keuhn Palmerton on July 6, 1974, who had three children from a previous marriage. Doreen passed away on January 3, 1990.Joe met his second wife, Rose Ridder, and they married in 1991. Rose also had four children from a previous marriage. Rose passed away April 18, 2008.Joe was an avid bowler; he was in the Drum and Bugle Corp at the Elks Lodge. Joe and his wife Rose started Bingo at Elks Lodge and then moved it to and ran Bingo at the Eagles Lodge. Joe was a supporter of the Shrines and the Animal Shelter.Joe is survived by his step children; Nancy (Terry) Brus, Ronald (Honey) Palmerton, Diane (John) Kelly, Mary E. Golt and Al (Margo) Ridder; numerous nieces and nephews; twelve grandchildren; twenty-nine great grandchildren and five great-great grandchildren.He was preceded in death by parents; two sisters; wife Doreen and wife Rose; two step children, Rose Walker and Peggy Steed.In lieu of flowers donations can be made in Joes name to the Humane Society of Cascade County, P.O. Box 1774, Great Falls, MT 59403; or Shrine Hospital Travel Fund c/o Great Falls Shrine Club, P.O. Box 2361, Great Falls, MT 59403.