Francis "Frank" Joseph Catalano, Sr.

Francis "Frank" Joseph Catalano, Sr., 71, of Wappapello, Mo., passed away Saturday, March 28, 2015 at his residence.

Mr. Catalano was born Jan. 3, 1944 in New Orleans, La., to the late Michael and Mary Gagliano Catalano. He was of the Catholic faith and was a retired plumber. Mr. Catalano proudly serviced his country in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam Era as a Medical Specialist; and was a member of American Legion Post 153 in Poplar Bluff. Mr. Catalano enjoyed building things, karaoke, fishing and gardening.

Survivors include his companion of 30 years, Cynthia "Cindy" (Gray) Egan, of the home; a son, Francis "Frank" Joseph Catalano, Jr. (Melissa) of Chalmette, La.; three daughters: Donna McLeod (James) and Michelle Bridges (Brian), all of Louisiana, and Gina Arnold (Richard), of Poplar Bluff; 17 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; two brothers: Salvador Catalano (Sylvia), of Texas and Tony Catalano (Wilda), of Louisiana; four sisters: Margaret Cox, Mary Ann Miller, Vickie Laird and Antoinette Badalamenti, all of Louisiana; best friend and war buddy, Walter (Kathy) Wilkey; and a host of nieces and nephews.

Two sons, Richard J. Duxworth and Michael Patrick Egan, Jr., two sisters, Emily Robeau and Lucy Robinson and a brother, Vincent Catalano also preceded Mr. Catalano in death.

Visitation will begin at 10:30 a.m. Monday at the Wappapello Cotrell Funeral Chapel with the funeral service following at noon. Father David Coon will officiate. Interment with full military honors will be at 2 p.m. Monday at the Missouri State Veterans Cemetery in Bloomfield.