St. George, Utah – Franz S. Reisch, 85, passed away peacefully at home in St George, Utah, surrounded by loving family, on June 5, 2021. He was born on March 4, 1936 in Springfield, IL, to Joseph A. and Vivian (Dressendorfer) Reisch. Franz spent his first 12 years in Springfield until relocating with his family to LaGrange, IL. He graduated in 1955 from Lyons Township High School in LaGrange, where he excelled in wrestling, and in 1959 from Marquette University in Milwaukee, WI where he earned a BS in mechanical engineering.

Franz worked for Honeywell for 32 years, first in Freeport, IL and later in Las Cruces, NM where he met and married his beloved wife, Marcia (Moore) Ward. After retirement, they enjoyed motorhome life,  meeting many good friends on their trips. The goal of seeing the Fall colors in New England took them on a trip around the country from Las Cruces to California, up the West Coast to Victoria Island in British Columbia, East along the northern border of the US through the Midwest and on to Maine, where they enjoyed the colors. Then they headed south to Virginia and Washington, DC and on to the Carolinas, touching down in Florida and the Keys, then West and South to the tip of Texas and further West to return to New Mexico, covering 25,000 miles in 50 weeks. Franz drove it all.

Motorcycling and tennis were passions he shared with Marcia and the many friends they met pursuing both activities. In 2005, Franz and Marcia moved to St. George, UT and later in 2010, they rehabed a house overlooking the city where Franz enjoyed doing many construction and engineering projects to make it their own. He had several projects going at the house when he passed.

Franz' survivors include his loving wife, Marcia; his daughter, Christine J. Reisch of Albuquerque, NM, his son, Kenneth F. Reisch of  Ft. Lauderdale, FL; brother John E. Reisch, of  Lombard, IL, sister Molly (Morrissey) Myrick Densmore of Garland, TX, and brother Richard A. Morrissey, of Brookfield, IL; grandson Victor M. Reisch, of Denver, CO, and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, his step-father, Richard A. Morrissey, his sister, Carolyn (Reisch) Kieffer, and brother, Joseph A. Reisch.

After what seemed like a long battle with esophageal cancer, the family entrusted Franz' final care to Dixie Home Rehab and Hospice in St George. Cremation has taken place. In lieu of flowers, the family wishes for you to make a charitable donation to either The Salvation Army or Habitat for Humanity. Franz was an avid supporter of both organizations. A Memorial Service will be held at Metcalf Mortuary, 300 W St George Blvd, St George, UT 84770 on July 17, 2021, at 3 PM.

Per Franz' wishes, cremation has taken place. A memorial service will be held Saturday, July 17, 2021, at 3:00 p.m. at the Metcalf Mortuary Chapel, 288 West St. George Blvd, St. George, UT 84770.

At the request of the family, Donations may be submitted to the following charitable organizations:

Habitat for Humanity - Habitatswu.org/donate   (435) 674-7669

Salvation Army - salvationarmyusa.org/donate  (800) 725-2769

Franz Reisch Service Program

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