Francis Delaney

Francis Delaney: A Life of Dedication, Family, and a Perfect 300

Written by Erika Berrett

Early Life and Career

Francis William Delaney was born on March 10, 1918, in Keokuk, Iowa, where he would live his entire life. He grew up in a close-knit family, the son of Frank and Alice Flynn Delaney. He graduated from St. Peter's High School in 1936 and soon after began a career with Hubinger Company, where he worked for 43 years before later joining Heintz. A devoted union member, Francis worked diligently and earned respect among his colleagues in the Hubinger Bowling League, a group of co-workers who found camaraderie through their shared love of the sport. 

A Bowling Legend

Though Francis Delaney was known for many things in his life, his legendary moment came on December 5, 1952, when he became the first person in Keokuk to bowl a perfect 300 game. A rare and difficult achievement, especially at the time, the 300 game required Delaney to bowl twelve consecutive strikes. 

Reflecting on the night, Delaney humbly said, “I wasn’t always that good of a bowler, but things were just really clicking that night.” It was a night when everything fell into place. After a modest first game of 137, Delaney's second game caught fire, and as he rolled strike after strike, the crowd at the alley swelled with onlookers, some even coming in from the street to witness history being made. With nerves mounting, he calmly completed the game, surpassing the previous city record of 276. His feat earned him recognition from the American Bowling Congress, who awarded him a trophy that he treasured for the rest of his life.

This moment of glory not only etched his name in Keokuk’s history but also underscored his philosophy of humility. “I was lucky,” he said, downplaying his achievement despite the rarity of a perfect game in 1952, when only 225 such games were recorded across the entire country.

Family and Community

In addition to his accomplishments on the lanes, Francis Delaney was a devoted family man. On June 1, 1943, he married Mary Ellen Wilkens at Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Nauvoo, Illinois. Together, they raised four children—Frank, Mary Lynn, Jim, and Kathleen—in the home where Delaney was born. Known for his dedication to his faith, Delaney was an active member of All Saints Catholic Church, the Knights of Columbus, and a charter member of McNamara's Band, a local group that further cemented his place in the Keokuk community.

Delaney’s love for family was evident in every aspect of his life. He and his wife spent 25 winters in Texas, making lifelong friends among the winter Texans in Corpus Christi. Back home, he took special joy in spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, fostering a family bond that spanned generations.

Legacy

Francis Delaney passed away on February 24, 2011, at the age of 92, in the very house where he was born. His life was a testament to perseverance, humility, and dedication—whether at work, in his family, or on the bowling lanes. He is buried in Oakland Cemetery, Block 40, Lot 79, where his memory is honored as an influential figure in Keokuk’s history.

From being the first to achieve a perfect 300 in Keokuk to his lifelong devotion to his family and community, Francis Delaney's legacy remains one of humble achievement, warmth, and enduring dedication. He was not only a remarkable bowler but a beloved husband, father, and grandfather whose life touched many in profound ways.

Sources:

1. "Delaney First to Bowl 300 in Keokuk" by Brad Cameron, Gate City, December 10, 2009.

2. Francis W. Delaney Obituary, DeJong-Greaves Celebration of Life Center.