Francis J. Boyle

PFC Francis Joseph Boyle, Co. G., 2nd Battalion, 378th Regiment, 95th Infantry (the "Iron Men of Metz"), 81, of Wyomissing, died October 25 in Reading Hospital.

He was the husband of Theresa I. (Hartman) Boyle and "The Love of My Life".

Born in Lost Creek, he was the son of the late John and Rose (Luscan) Boyle.

Francis was an electrical engineer.

He was a veteran of the U.S. Army's 378th Regiment, 95th Infantry, "The Iron Men of Metz" serving during World War II. He was a recipient of two Purple Hearts. Francis was also awarded the Bronze Star for meritorious achievement in ground combat against the armed enemy during World War II in the European African Middle Eastern Theater of Operations. He was the recipient of the following medals presented to him by France: The French Liberation Medal, the Metz Liberation Medal, the Croix De Guerre and the Foure De Guerre. The 95th Infantry was known as the "Liberation Infantry". He also attended many reunions for the 95th Division.

He was an active member of the Knights of Columbus. Francis was the "son of his country and a true Irishman." "Slainte Mor Dad!"

Other survivors include three sons, Dennis M., Bejing, China, James J., Downingtown and John F., Paoli and three daughters, Deborah R. Boyle, Centreville, MD, Sandra M. (Boyle) Zoller, Birmingham, AL and Susan E. Boyle, Pasadena, MD. There are also four grandchildren, Christopher M. Nicolo, Julie F. Boyle, Margaret J. Boyle and Alesandra "Sasha" Zoller.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Thursday at 2 p.m. in St. Ignatius R.C.C., Whitfield. Burial will be private in Ashland Cemetery. Friends may call Thursday from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. in Edward J. Kuhn Funeral Home, Inc., West Reading. In lieu of flowers please send donations to St. Jude's Hospital 501 St. Jude Place Memphis, TN 38105. www.kuhnfuneralhome.com