Francis J. Strab, 78 NEWARK - Chief Master Sergeant Francis J. "Fran" Strab (Ret.), of Newark, formerly of Wilmington, Manor Gardens, New Castle, died from mesothelioma on Friday, August 22, 2008, in Christiana Hospital. He was 78. Born in Wilmington on July 6, 1930, son of the late Frank Strab and Mary Miedzianowski Strab, Mr. Strab attended St. Paul's Elementary School and was a graduate of Wilmington High School. He proudly served his country in the U.S. Army and would go on to enlist in the Delaware Air National Guard, where he made his career. Chief Master Sergeant Strab was a part of the 166th Logistics Squadron and also served as a member of the Air Guard's "Crash Crew." He retired in 1990 after over 40 years of service. A devout Catholic, Mr. Strab was a member of Holy Angels Parish and a former member of St. Peter the Apostle Parish. He was a talented handyman and was well known by family and friends for his ability to fix anything. In his leisure hours, he greatly enjoyed fishing. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by wife of 47 years, Eunice M. Daugherty Strab, in 1998. He is survived by his second wife of over 5 years, Joan McNatt Simmons-Strab; four children, Lorraine J. Weiner and husband Jeffrey, of Newark, Diane M. Gambill of Rising Sun, Md, James F. Strab and wife Susan, of Bear, and Francis J. Strab III of Newark; five stepchildren, Katie Gearinger and husband Mitch, of Middletown, Sherri Leslie and husband Roger, of Middletown, Laurie Logan and husband Mike, of Colorado Springs, Colo., Douglas Harris Jr. of Kerrville, Texas and John "Willie" Simmons of Newark; two sisters, Anna Maguire of Wilmington and Lois Cannatelli of New Castle; six grandchildren, Matthew, Nikki, Jennifer, Ryan, Frankie, and Julie; a great-granddaughter, Sydnie; eight step-grandchildren, Crystal, Marina, Christina, Jenn, Ashley, Rob, Samantha, and Kaitlynn; and eight step-great-grandchildren. A visitation will be held from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday in the Spicer-Mullikin Funeral Home, 1000 N. DuPont Parkway, New Castle. Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 11 a.m. Thursday, in Holy Angels R.C. Church, 82 Possum Park Road, Newark, where a second visitation will be held from 10 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. Burial with military honors will be in Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 2465 Chesapeake City Road, Bear. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to Holy Angels Building Fund, 82 Possum Park Road, Newark, DE 19711; or to the American Cancer Society, 92 Read's Way, Ste. 205, New Castle, DE 19720. To sign guest register visit spicer-mullikinfuneralhomes.com.