Francis Milo McCarthy was born July 31, 1912 south of Burke, South Dakota to Dennis and Rose (Kercher) McCarthy and he died suddenly on August 31, 2006 at Whispering Pines Assisted Living in Burke, South Dakota at the age of 94 years and 1 month.

Francis was raised on the family farm and worked for local farmers until he started his own farming operation in 1944. He was united in marriage to Velma Tolstedt on May 13, 1944 at the Baptist Parsonage in Bonesteel, South Dakota. To this union two children were born. He continued farming until a stroke and farm accident caused him to retire in 1994.

In 2003, after a leg amputation, it was necessary for him to move to Whispering Pines Assisted Living, where he resided until his death. He loved sports, his favorite being baseball. He spent many Sunday afternoons with his siblings and friends playing baseball. His greatest joy was his five grandchildren and one great-grandson. He was proud of all of them.

Francis was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters: Minnie and Anna; and eight brothers: John, Bill, Dan, Alfred, Donald, Joe, Pat and Michael and an infant grandson, baby Lange.

Francis is survived by his wife, Velma of Burke, SD; one son Dean and wife Kay of Tabor, SD; one daughter, Gayle and husband Mark Lange of Atkinson, NE; his grandchildren: Richard and Uzoma of Tuscaloosa, AL; Lewis and Sarah of Sioux Falls, SD; Emily Lange of Ft. Dodge, IA; Joel and Stephen Lange of Atkinson, NE; one great-grandson, Jack of Sioux Falls, SD; one sister, Mary (Virgil) Hill of Burke, SD.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, September 7, 2006 at 10:30 AM at Union Baptist Church in Burke. Burial will be in the Graceland Cemetery, Burke. Visitation will be Wednesday from 4 to 8 PM, with a 7:00 PM prayer service, at Clausen Funeral Home in Burke.