Frank L. Lisbona, Jr.

Francisco (Frank) La Linde Lisbona, Jr., son of Dr. F. L. Lisbona, Sr. and Lura (Cox) Lisbona, was born January 18, 1922 in Maitland, MO in their apartment on the 2nd floor above the meat market. This was just west of his father’s dental office. Frank, his older sister Anita, and younger brother Alvan were all born at home. Frank, age 102-1/2 and a World War II veteran, passed away peacefully at the VA Hospital in Des Moines, IA on September 27, 2024.

After graduating from Maitland High School in 1939, Frank went to Maryville State Teacher’s College (later renamed NW Missouri State University) for three years completing his pre-dental requirements. He then went to dental school for one year at Western Dental College in Kansas City, MO where his father had gone. While in dental school he married his college sweetheart, Phyllis Marjorie Watsabaugh, of Garden Grove, IA.  While in college Frank played saxophone in a swing band and Phyllis sang with the band.  During their marriage they had five children.

During World War II Frank enlisted in the Army and went through Basic Infantry training.  Because of his one year in dental school he was assigned to the Medics and was put on a ship to Germany. He and another dental technician worked in a trailer with three dentists making and repairing dentures 18 hours a day for our troops.  When the war ended, his infantry division stayed in Germany for six more months as occupation troops.

Having experience working in his father’s movie theater during high school, Frank showed movies on the ship to and from Germany during his military career. After his military discharge, he bought a movie theater in Garden Grove, Iowa and operated it for four years. His career in sales spanned many years, selling Electrolux vacuums door-to-door and selling advertising in telephone directories in Iowa and the surrounding states for 15 years and in free shopper newspapers for 24 years. He also sold Amsoil and Water Distillers part time. Frank managed a 30-unit condo in Des Moines, IA before retiring to Beaverdale Estates (now Independence Village Senior Living of Des Moines) nearly 15 years ago.

For many years Frank was a member of the Meredith Drive Reform Church and the Iowa American Legion Post 0102. He was active with the Volkswagon Club (he had 17 Volkswagons and bought a new one every year) and the Early Wheels of Iowa, where he attended many swap-meets for over 25 years.

Frank was most well-known for his contagious laugh, his love of jokes and story-telling, his giving out a variety of unique business cards guaranteed to put a smile on your face, and his small red flashlights with all his contact information on them. Frank never met a stranger, and he will be missed by all who knew and loved him.

Frank was preceded in death by his mother, Lura Lisbona and his father, Dr. F. L. Lisbona, Sr., his ex-wife Phyllis Lisbona, his sister Anita Beal (Roy), his brother Alvan Lisbona (Marjorie), and his son Francisco "Linn" L. Lisbona, III.

Frank is survived by his four remaining children and their families, Francisco (Linde) L. Lisbona, IV (Tracey), Marjorie Breeher (Ken), Joe Lisbon (Marilyn), Randy Lisbona (Elizabeth), Lisa Moser (Mark), and his daughter-in-law Carol Lisbona. He is also survived by his sister Anita’s two daughters, Connie Lohr and Carmen Hoeber, and by his brother Alvan’s son, Larry Lisbona (Margie) and his daughter, Marcia McCown (Steven), and their families.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial donations to the Tri-City Friendship Center, PO Box 88, Maitland, MO, 64466.

The family will greet friends Thursday, October 24, 2024 from 10:00 am to 11:00 am at Chamberlain Funeral Home, 1705 Ridge Dr., Mound City, MO, 64470.  The funeral service with military honors will follow at the funeral home at 11:00 am. Entombment following the service at the Maitland Cemetery Mausoleum.