Frank Charles "Chris" McCue

Frank Charles "Chris" McCue, 88, of Springfield, died at 7:50 a.m. on Thursday, June 26, 2008 at St. Joseph's Home. Chris was born on March 9, 1920 in Springfield, the son of Charles Joseph and Catherine Anne Power McCue. When Chris was just eighteen years old, he met Frances Donini. She was his sister Pat's best friend and just fourteen years old at the time. It took Chris nearly six years to finally ask Fran out on a date - a date that lasted fifty-eight years. Chris and Fran married on October 22, 1949 in Springfield. Chris was raised in Springfield along with his seven siblings. He attended St. Mary's Grade School and graduated from Cathedral Boys High School. He attended the University of Missouri and was a WWII U.S. Air Force and Army Air Corp Veteran. He served as a toggelier (nose gunner) on a B-17. During his service in the Air Force, he was a member of the 401st Bombardment Group, 8th Air Force, England. He served on many missions, including one to bomb the city of Berlin, Germany. During the Berlin mission Chris and his fellow crewmembers were forced to bail from their aircraft and were rescued by the American Advance Signal Corp and taken to Nance, France. Over the years Chris and his "Crew of 10" would get together for reunions. There are only two remaining crewmembers. Chris received the American Theatre Ribbon, Air Medal, EAME Ribbon with two Bronze Stars and the WWII Victory Medal. After his years in the service, Chris returned home and began working at Western Electric. His Uncle John trained him in plumbing and he became a journeyman plumber with Local Union #137. He also worked for the State of Illinois at the Illinois State Fairgrounds. He retired from the State of Illinois. His wife Fran remembers that he was a great plumber and really loved his work. He was also quite the handyman and made their home into a dream house. Chris and Fran had a marvelous life together. They enjoyed traveling together and for over fifty years they traveled all over the United States and many countries in Europe. Chris was a loyal University of Notre Dame fan. Family was very important to Chris; both he and Fran feel they were truly blessed with having such wonderful nieces and nephews in their life. Chris was a very loving and generous gentleman, who never complained and loved everybody and everything. He will be sadly missed by his family, friends and all of those who had the pleasure of knowing him. He was preceded in death by two sisters: Mary Catherine Patton and Margaret Anne Drew and three brothers: Cornelius James "Neil" McCue, Charles J. McCue, Jr. and Joseph A. McCue. He is survived by his beloved wife of fifty-eight years, Frances "Fran" McCue; his brother: Jack (wife, Dolly) McCue of Springfield; one sister, Patricia Ford of Springfield and many nieces and nephews. The family welcomes friends to visit from 4:00-7:00 p.m. on Sunday, June 29, 2008 at Kirlin-Egan and Butler Funeral Home, 900 S. 6th St. Springfield. Prayer service will be held at 7:00 p.m. on Sunday. Funeral mass will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, June 30, 2008 at Church of the Little Flower, 800 Adlai Stevenson Dr., Springfield, with the Rev. Chuck Edwards celebrant. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery, where the Interveterans Burial Detail will conduct military honors. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Joseph's Home, 3306 S. 6th St., Springfield, IL 62703 or Church of the Little Flower, 800 Adali Stevenson Dr., Springfield, IL 62703.