Francis Toohey Jr.

PERRYVILLE, Mo. -- Francis Toohey Jr., 86, of Perryville passed away Wednesday, June 26, 2013, at his son's home in Jefferson City. Mo., after a brief illness.

He was born Aug. 24, 1926, to Francis J. and Ruby Sword Toohey. He was raised in Chester, Ill. He and Dolores Williamson were married Sept. 11, 1952. She preceded him in death Jan. 31, 2004.

Francis served with the United States Army in the Pacific Theater during World War II.

Upon his return from military service, he attended St. Louis University and received a juris doctorate in 1951. He was admitted to The Missouri Bar in September 1951 and began practicing law in Perryville.

He served as Perry County prosecuting attorney a number of years before exclusively concentrating on his private practice on the courthouse square in Perryville. In addition, he operated a smaller office in Ste. Genevieve, Mo., a number of years.

Francis served as attorney for a number of political subdivisions and organizations including the Bois Brule Levee District; cities of Perryville, St. Mary, Altenburg and Frohna; New Bourbon Regional Port Authority; St. Mary Chamber of Commerce; Perry County Public Water Supply District No. 1; and Perry County Multi-Purpose Park Center Commission.

He retired from the practice of law and sold his law firm in 2012 after 62 years of service to the legal profession, the community and the people of Perry County.

Francis was a founding member of Perryville Development Corp. and served as its original director. He also was a long-serving member of Perryville Area Chamber of Commerce and was a board member several years.

He was a member many years of the board of directors and legal counsel for The Bank of Missouri. He was a member of St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4282, American Legion Post 133, Lions Club and many other civic and fraternal organizations.

Survivors include a son, Gary Toohey of Jefferson City and his wife Ann; two nephews, Richard (Vonda) Moonier of Orlando, Fla., and Howard (Sondra) Redpath of Mt. Vernon, Ill.; a niece, Debra Pace of Orlando; two grandchildren, Douglas (Dawn) Mullins of Imperial, Mo., and Jennifer (Jason) Gerling of Jefferson City; and five great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife; a sister, Betty Moonier; and two infant sons.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Sunday and 6:30 a.m. until time of service Monday at Young and Sons Funeral Home.

The funeral will be at 10 a.m. Monday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Milton Ryan officiating. Burial will be in Mount Hope Cemetery, with military graveside rites provided by VFW Post 4282 and Missouri Delta Team.

Memorials are preferred to St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church or Schools.