Francis "Sonny" McLaughlin, 77 of 1318 18 ^th Avenue SW, died Monday, March 10, 2008 at Mercy Medical Center from a brief illness.  Memorial service will be 11 a.m. Saturday, March 15, 2008 at Edgewood Family Fellowship, formerly Edgewood Baptist Church.  Inurnment will be at a later date.   Brosh Chapel in Cedar Rapids is in charge of arrangements.

Sonny was born June 30, 1930 in Cedar Rapids, the son of William and Velma (Hall) McLaughlin.  He married Mary Sansone in Tampa, Florida.  He worked for over 40 years for Hennesseys, and as an over the road truck driver until his retirement.  He earned the 4 Million Miles Award for safe driving during his career.  He was a 50 year member of the Operators Engineers #234.  Sonny was an avid hunter, fisherman, and outdoorsman.

Sonny is survived by his wife Mary; their cat Queenie; sister Sharon Lindroth of Cedar Rapids; brother Jack (Sharon) McLaughlin of Swisher; sister-in-law Angela (John) Seary of Hot Springs, AK; brother-in-law Glenn Cumberland of Urbana, and O.J. Monday of Alaska; and a special brother-in-law Tony Sansone of Waterloo, and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents William McLaughlin and Velma Brick; sister Georgia Cumberland; brothers-in-law Scott Lindroth, Bill Sansone, and Bob Sansone; and sisters in law JoAnne (Jerry) Parsons and Anthinette "Toni" Monday.

Memorials may be directed to the family.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to the nurses and staff on 4 ^th Floor at Mercy, especially Gretchen, Nicole and Dr. Ghosh for their special care of Sonny.