RAPID CITY - Francis L. Joyce, 89, died May 13, 2015. Francis Leroy Joyce was born to Michael and Teresa Joyce on September 16, 1925 in Independence, Iowa. He grew up on the farm in Independence and later moved to Littleton, Iowa. He attended grade school in Jesup, Iowa. Francis served his country in the army as a paratrooper in World War II in the Philippines and Japan. On September 29, 1949 he married Esther (Anstoetter) Joyce in Farley, Iowa. Following the wedding they moved to Vancouver, Washington where he sold insurance. Fran and Ester moved to Cheyenne, Wyoming where he started his career with Texaco. He started out as a truck driver and worked his way up to an industrial engineer. Fran worked for Texaco in Rapid City, Grand Island, Nebraska, and retired with Texaco in Omaha, Nebraska in 1982. Fran and Esther retired in Rapid City in 1988. Francis attended Blessed Sacrament Church where he was a member of the Knights of Columbus and the Elders. Francis is a life time member of the Elks, VFW, American Legion and the golf association. He loved his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. He enjoyed playing cards and cribbage, golf, dancing and traveling. He especially enjoyed working in his yard. Fran was preceded in death by his wife, Esther; his parents, 2 sisters and 4 brothers. Fran is survived by four children; Jacalyn (Jeremy) Eberhart, Eureka; Brenda (Dave) Mueller, Rapid City; James "JJ" (Marsha) of Fort Collins, CO; and Cheryl (John) Klein, Walton, NE; 10 grandchildren; 13 great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. Christian Funeral Mass will be offered at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, May 29, 2015 at Blessed Sacrament Church with Rev. Grant Gerlach presiding. Visitation will be for one hour prior to the services. Burial will follow at Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis with military honors provided by the Rushmore VFW Post 1273 and the South Dakota Army National Guard. In lieu of flowers/plants a memorial has been established.