Francis Tuescher

Francis R. "Tish" Tuescher, age 86 of Darlington, WI passed away Sunday, February 24, 2019 at Lafayette Manor in Darlington. He was born on September 18, 1832 in Truman, WI the son of Florence (McKeon) Tuescher and Rudolph Tuescher. Tish was raised by his grandparents Marie and Rudolph Tuescher and his aunt Fidelus Burke and her husband Joseph. He attended Center Hill School and Holland Rural School. Tish graduated from Shullsburg High School in Shullsburg, WI in 1950. Following graduation, he enlisted in the United States Air Force on November 17, 1950. He trained as a mechanic in aircraft and jet engines. Tish served for 4 years, serving 3 of those years in Germany as crew chief on F84's and F86's. He was honorably discharged in 1954 and returned to Lafayette County. Tish was united in marriage to Patricia J. Johnson on October 15, 1955 at Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Darlington. In 1955, Tish re-enlisted in the Air Force and he at Pat set out to a 16-year journey. During those 16 years Tish was stationed in Williams AFB in Chandler, AZ, Richards Gebaur AFB in MO, Goose Bay, Labrador in Canada, Bergstrom AFB in Austin, TX, Shaw AFB in SC, and was sent on numerous tours of duty one of which was Reactionary Force USS Pueblo in Korea and a 12-month unaccompanied tour to Udorn Thailand. Tish was then drafted into instructor duty for 4 years until retiring from duty after serving 20 years in 1972. He and his family moved to Shullsburg where he worked for McMorHan Trucking and then Freymiller Trucking. He and Pat owned the laundromat in town from 1972 - 1981. In the 1980's he and Pat moved back to Darlington where they have resided since.Tish is survived by his wife Pat at home; his daughter: Teresa (Floyd) Robelia of Darlington; his sons: Brian (Robin) Tuescher of Beloit, WI, Charles Tuescher and Roger (Jodie) Tuescher both of Shullsburg; granddaughters: Angela (Paul) Robelia, Alesia (Robin) Jenson, Ashley (Brice Walters) Robelia, Alison (Chris) McCord, and Brittany Tuescher; his great-grandsons: Lane and Levi Jenson, and Rowan McCord; and one sister-in-law: Mary Louise Teutschmann of Darlington. He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother-in-law: Fred Teutschmann. Tish was a member of Darlington VFW Post, Shullsburg Masonic Lodge #25 Free and Accepted Masons, Bates-O'Brien-Howe-Wiegel Roelli American Legion Post #214 of Darlington, and McCann-Richards American Legion Post#105 of Shullsburg. He was a proud founding member of the Pecatonica Valley Antique Club where he served as president. Tish was a life-long car enthusiast and mechanic. In his younger days he was an avid and somewhat skilled waterskier avid sports men and a control line model air plane piolet where her won many awards. He and his family spent many enjoyable years camping, moving from tents, to campers, to motor homes. For 12 years he and Pat spent winters at Tindall AFB FL Family Camp where they made many friends from all branches of the military.A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Thursday, February 28, 2019 at 11:30 A.M. at Holy Rosary Catholic Church (104 E. Harriet St., Darlington) with Rev. Joji Reddy officiating. Military Rites will be accorded following the service by Bates-O'Brien-Howe-Wiegel-Roelli American Legion Post #214 of Darlington. Burial will be in Union Grove Cemetery at a later date. A visitation will be held Thursday, February 28, 2019 from 9:00 A.M. until 11:00 A.M. at the church. A rosary will be prayed at 11:00 A.M. The Erickson Funeral Home in Darlington is serving the family. Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.ericksonfuneralhome.com.For those who prefer, a memorial fund has been established in Tish's name.