Francis Cornell

Francis Xavier Cornell, 87, of Waukegan passed away on Sunday, March 24, 2013, at home with his family. He was born on September 17, 1925, in Boston, Massachusetts to the late Frank and Kathryn (Mahoney) Cornell. Francis married Nita Smith on January 19, 1949, in Waukegan.

He is survived by his loving wife of 63 years, Nita Cornell; three sons: Pat (Brenda) Cornell, Bill (Jill) Cornell, and Kevin Cornell; one brother, Donald Cornell; one brother-in-law, Stanley (Mary Kay) Smith; eight grandchildren: Patricia (Michael Kerton) Cornell, Kelly (Jay Cervantes) Cornell, Michael (Emily) Cornell, Kerilyn Cornell, Megan Cornell, Christopher Cornell, Kathryn Cornell, and Kyle Cornell; four great-grandchildren: Katherine Cornell, William Cornell, Charlotte Cornell, and RJ Cervantes and many nieces and nephews, plus his close companion and "man's best friend," Napoleon Cornell.

Francis served in the United States Navy during WWII and retired as a Chief Petty Officer after twenty years of service. He later retired from his second career as an electronics technician for Navalex as a Civil Service employee at the Great Lakes Naval Base. Francis was a lifetime member and Past Commander of AMVETS Post #35 in Waukegan. He was an avid golfer, bowler, sports enthusiast and, most of all, enjoyed spending time with his family.

Visitation will be Monday, April 1, 2013, from 4:00pm-7:00pm at WARREN FUNERAL HOME, 1475 N. Cemetery Road, Gurnee. Funeral services are at 7:00pm following the visitation at the funeral home. Burial is Tuesday, April 2, 2013 at 10:30am at Warren Cemetery & Mausoleum, Gurnee.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Wounded Warriors.