Francis Hawley, age 83, of Wessington Springs, SD, died Sunday, April 16, 2006, at Sioux Valley Hospital at Sioux Falls. His funeral service will be at 1:30 PM Wednesday, April 19, at Our Saviors Lutheran Church at Wessington Springs with Rev. John Paulson officiating. Burial will be at Restlawn Memory Gardens Cemetery with Military Rites by the American Legion Post #14 and the VFW Post #5548, both of Wessington Springs. Friends may call from 5:00 to 8:00 PM this Tuesday evening at Our Saviors Lutheran Church at Wessington Springs or Wednesday afternoon prior to the service at the church. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Welter Funeral Home of Huron. Francis W. Hawley was born on October 3, 1922, to Raymond and Anna (Zastrow) Hawley in Jackson Township, Sanborn County. He was baptized and confirmed in a rural church in Jackson Township. He received his early education in a rural school and graduated from Woonsocket High School in 1941. After graduation Francis worked for Consolidated Aircraft in San Diego until he entered the U.S. Navy in 1942. He served most of the time aboard the USS Portsmouth, a light cruiser, as fire control man for the 5 battery operated by a computer. He was honorably discharged in 1946. From 1946-1952 Francis was a trainman for the Northwestern Railroad at Huron. He then moved to a farm in the Wessington Springs area. On March 10, 1957, Francis married Edna Christensen at Wessington Springs and they lived and farmed in Dale Township for 44 years. They raised high quality Hereford cattle and sold the calves as feeders each February and March. From 1968-1969, he completed business courses at Dakota Wesleyan University at Mitchell, SD. In 1994, Francis suffered a stroke and had to sell the cattle herd and the farm and the couple moved into Wessington Springs in October of 2001. Francis was active in the Farmers Union, Democratic Party, served as State Central Committeeman, ASCS Committeeman, and the Dale Township Board. He enjoyed horseback riding, caring for his cattle, and the country life. He also occasionally rode in nearby local parades. He is survived by his wife, Edna of Wessington Springs; 1 brother, Earl (Joyce) Hawley of Bakersfield, CA; 3 sisters, Mabel Bussell of Huron, Marie Johnson of Huron, and Lois Emerson of Garden Grove, CA; 2 sisters-in-law, Mary Hawley of Sturgis, SD, and Helen Hawley of Huron; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; 1 sister, Lorena Hotchkiss; 4 brothers, John Hawley, Harry Hawley, William Bud Hawley, and Donald Hawley; 4 brothers-in-law, Clifford Hotchkiss, Ted Bussell, Chuck Emerson, and Orin Johnson; and 2 sisters-in-law, Grace Hawley, and Jo Hawley.