John “Frank” Laiben, age 97, of Festus, Missouri, passed away Thursday September 12, 2024 at Mercy Hospital St. Louis in Creve Coeur, Missouri. He was born May 20, 1927 in Jefferson County, Missouri, the son of the late Agnes (nee Porter) Becker, and the late John Fred Laiben.

In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his wife Betty Louise (nee Duckworth) Laiben; a brother Richard L. “Dick” (Doris survives of Crystal City, Missouri) Laiben; a sister Patricia (Robert survives of Festus) Patterson; and his step-father Mitchell Becker.

He is survived by daughters Regina (the late Lynn) Hollis of Lees Berg, Florida, Mary Anne (Dr. Robert) Blankenship of Tulsa, Oklahoma, and Therese (Dr. David) Akers of Tulsa, Oklahoma; sons Mark S. (Joyce) Laiben of Crystal City, Gerard (Susan) Laiben of Festus, John (Laurie) Laiben of Crystal City, Joseph (Dawn) Laiben of DeSoto, Vincent Laiben of St. Thomas, Virgin Islands, and Paul Laiben of DeSoto; brother Thomas (Jan) Laiben of Milton, Florida; numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren; step-children Terri Winchester of St. Louis, Missouri, Richard (Karen) Winchester of Wildwood, Missouri, Cynthia (Alan) Coffman of Ballwin, Missouri, Robert (Maria) Winchester of O’Fallon, Missouri, and Wendy Winchester of St. Louis, and their children and grandchildren.

Frank was a Navy Veteran of WWII, attended Sacred Heart Church in Crystal City and Our Lady Church in Festus, was a member of Knights of Columbus #1230, was a longtime member Eagle Bank board of directors, and the eldest member of Elks Lodge #1721. He had worked as a contractor with Laiben Construction Co. and was the owner/operator of Frank Laiben Realty.

Visitation 4:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. Monday, September 16, 2024 at Vinyard Funeral Home in Festus. Funeral Mass 10:00 A.M. Tuesday, September 17, 2024 at Our Lady Church in Festus, officiated by Fr. Michael Boehm. Interment in St. Ann Cemetery in French Village, Missouri. Memorials in his memory are preferred to St. Joseph’s Indian School in Chamberlain, South Dakota.