Francis E. Lockman

DeForest- Francis E. Lockman, age 82, peacefully passed away on Thursday, August 12, 2010, surrounded by his loving family, after a long battle with cancer. Francis was born on August 10, 1928, in Madison, WI, to Everett and Louise (Degenhardt) Lockman. He attended Madison East High School for three years and then transferred to DeForest High School where he graduated in 1946. He lived most of his life in the Token Creek area as a dairy farmer. In 1944 his family saw a tornado destroy the farm buildings. After moving off the dairy farm in 1969, Francis worked in Waunakee as a welder and then at Madison's Farm n Fleet retiring in 1990. Francis enjoyed fishing, hunting, bowling, playing cards, tinkering in the basement and recording his own ""Big Band"" songs on cassette tapes. Francis was ""Mr. Fix-It"" as he could fix anything. Mostly, he enjoyed spending time with his family. On February 26, 1949, Francis married his best friend, Alice Davidson.

Francis is survived by his wife of 61 years, Alice; children, David (Cathy) Lockman, Richard Lockman, Darla Lockman and Daniel (Rose) Lockman; daughter-in-law, Lorrie Lockman; sisters, Eleanor (Don) Krisher-Moran and Shirley Schulz; and 14 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, a son, Douglas Lockman; and brothers-in-law, John Schulz and Kent Krisher.

The family of Francis would like to say a special ""Thank You"" to the Don and Marilyn Anderson HospiceCare Center in Fitchburg, WI, and Dr. Michael Fronteria and his staff, for their loving care and support.

Funeral services will be held at BURKE LUTHERAN CHURCH, 5720 Portage Road, Madison, on Tuesday, August 17, 2010, at 11:00 a.m. with Pastor Russ Leeper officiating. Burial will follow at Burke Lutheran Cemetery. A visitation will be held at CRESS FUNERAL HOME, 1310 Emerald Terrace, Sun Prairie, on Monday, August 16, 2010 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. and at the church on Tuesday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service at 11:00 a.m.

""As our hearts ache in sadness, and secret tears flow, we got to hold him in our arms for a little while, but will hold you in our hearts forever.""