September 27, 1935 – January 29, 2025

 Francis Peter Rehagen, age 89 of Silex, MO passed away peacefully on Wednesday, January 29, 2025.
 He was born September 27, 1935, in a one-room cabin in Freeburg, MO, the son of Alexander “Alex” Henry Rehagen and Emma Elizabeth (Ruder) Rehagen.
 He is survived by his loving wife of 68 years, Joan Ann Rehagen. He is also survived by three daughters: Pamela (Michael) Reitmeyer of O’Fallon, MO; Sherry (Larry) Chartrand of Troy, MO; and Merna (Jay) Thoroughman of Silex, MO. He is survived by nine grandchildren: Vincent (Kim) Leahy and Andrea (Mi­chael) Twillman; Tony (Samantha) Chartrand, Danny Chartrand, and Alex (Erynn) Chartrand; Amanda (Cory) Siegler, Melanie (Jeremy) Webb, Abigail (Jor­dan) Lasater, and Madeline Thoroughman. He is also survived by fifteen great-grandchildren: Nolan, Brennan, Colin, and Olivia Leahy; Gavin and Caiden Twillman; Finley and Dean Chartrand; Jonah Char­◤CO Check hyphenation◢trand; Sadie and Sophie Ohmes; Dustin and Maren Webb; Joanie and Otto Lasater.
 He is also survived by three sisters: M. Teresa (Leander) Falter of Westphalia, MO; Anne (Norbert) Falter of Westphalia, MO; and Janet (Lee) Waer of Jefferson City, MO; and two sisters-in-law: Lorraine Rehagen of Rich Fountain, MO; and Jean (Bill) Cox of Boynton Beach, Florida.
 He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Jerome “Jerry” Herman Rehagen.
 Francis grew up in Freeburg, MO. He attended Holy Family Catholic School for ten years and then went for two years to Fatima High School in Westphalia, MO. He graduated in 1953.
 He enjoyed spending summers on the farm with his grandparents, Herman and Mary Rehagen and driving a “Chevy” hauling wood for his Grandpa Peter Ruder and speaking fluent German with his grandmother, Anna Bock Ruder.
 After graduation, he worked for the Missouri State Highway Department for a short time and then went to St. Louis, MO, to start his carpenter apprenticeship.
 Francis was united in marriage on November 17, 1956, to Joan Ann Olszewski at St. Andrew’s Catholic Church in Lemay, MO and they currently attend St. Alphonsus Catholic Church in Millwood, MO.
 He was drafted into the U.S. Army on August 5, 1958. After his training at Ft. Leonard Wood, he was sent to Ft. Hood, Texas, for the remainder of his service time. He was trained as a Medic.
 Working as a carpenter, Francis built furniture and three of his own homes while working for Wolfrum Construction for eight to ten years building homes and later for HBD (H.B. Deal) Construction as superinten­dent for 22 years on commercial sites. He was espe­cially proud of the high rises that he supervised.
 A. Three high rises for Joseph Kelly in Des Peres, MO
 B. Joseph Kelly overpass over I-270 in Des Peres, MO
 C. Two teamsters’ high rises in St. Louis
 D. Multiple movie theatres for Wehrenberg: in St. Charles, Des Peres, Keller, St. Clair in IL, and Kenrick.
 Francis was always faithful to God and the Catholic Church. He served as Grand Knight for the Dardenne Council of the Knights of Columbus and served as 4th Degree Knight. He attended the annual silent retreats at the White House Jesuit Retreat Center in St. Louis, MO, for over 50 years. He assisted in building the Dardenne Knights of Columbus Hall on Post Road in Dardenne Prairie, MO.
 Francis and Joan, along with a few other couples, were instrumental in establishing Dardenne as its own city and renamed it Dardenne Prairie.
 Francis’ favorite activities included hunting squirrel, rabbit, and deer, fishing for trout, and larger Canadian fish that was accessible only by airplane. He loved to barbecue, go on float trips, boating, and camping with family and friends. Early on, he had a boat named “Granny.” He loved boating on the Osage River, putting in at the Hwy. 50 & 63 Junction in Osage County, MO. One of Francis and Joan’s biggest adventures was a driving trip through Canada to Alaska. They found roads that just end and daylight 24/7.
 Francis had many skills in addition to carpentry, as a skilled welder Francis fixed many things including farm equipment. He loved farming and driving a tractor. He served with the St. Charles Emergency Corps as a diver on the Mississippi River at St. Charles, MO, helping to retrieve river victims. He was a regular donor for the Red Cross and donated over 9 gallons of blood in his lifetime.
 VISITATION: Tuesday, February 4th from 4:00pm to 7:00pm at McCoy Blossom Funeral Home, Troy, MO.
 FUNERAL MASS: Wednesday, February 5th at 10:00 AM at St. Alphonsus in Millwood, MO. Fr. Chuck Tichacek officiated.
 Please make any Memorials to St. Alphonsus in Millwood, MO c/o funeral home
 Full military honors will be presented at his burial at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, 2900 Sheridan Road, in St. Louis, MO.
 Services entrusted to McCoy Blossom Funeral Home, Troy, MO.
 Family and Friends may sign the online guestbook @www.mccoyblossomfh.com