Francis "Tank" Mayer

Soo I-500 Legend Francis "Tank" Mayer, age 76, of Rudyard, Michigan passed away Friday evening, March 17, 2017 at his home surrounded by his wife Connie and their six children and grandchildren. Tank was born in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan on March 21, 1940, the son of the late Isidore and Alma (Paquette) Mayer. He graduated from Rudyard High School with the class of 1959. On June 23, 1962, he married Connie Mae Furlott at St. Ignatius Loyola Catholic Church in St. Ignace, Michigan. He was a member of the Michigan Regional Carpenters Union Local #202, St. Joseph Catholic Church, and the Knights of Columbus Council #10777. Tank loved going out to hunting camp. He'd plant oats in hopes of seeing that next big deer. He also enjoyed working on the farm, singing in the St. Joseph Choir, and volunteering for more than 20 years as an ambulance driver. He was an I-500 legend , with over 6,783 miles on the oval track and the first person to go over 65 mph and the first person to have two laps at 80 mph and the founder of Mayer Racing #9, which was also known as Go Til She Blows Racing. Tank is survived by his wife: Connie Mayer of Rudyard, MI; three daughters: Colette (Andy) Cozort, Carrie Mayer, and Michelle (Ron) Coffey all of Rudyard, MI; and three sons: Faron "Fud" (Natalee) Mayer of Mackinac Island, MI, Anthony "Eep" (Dena) Mayer of Rudyard, MI, and Aaron (Katie) Mayer of Sault Ste. Marie, MI; 19 grandchildren: Drew, Jayden, Lane, Mandy, Brittany, Caleb, Brandon, Trevor, Cody, Jason, Ronnie, Kylie, Jared, Shane, Karlee, Landen, Levi, Ava, and Grace; and four great grandchildren. He is also survived by three sisters: Sister Mary Alma Mayer of Milwaukee, WI, Katherine Coffman of Mesa, AZ, and Janet (Bob) Wieber of Houghton, MI, and two brothers: James (Marion) Mayer of Milwaukee, WI and Rolland (Joanne) Mayer of Sault Ste. Marie, MI. Many nieces and nephews. Tank was preceded in death by his son: Francis "Fran" Mayer; his parents Isidore & Alma, two sisters; Lillian and Theresa, and six brothers; Orel, Little Francis, Raymond, Lawrence, Paul and Robert and his in-laws; Levi and Florence Furlott. A Funeral Mass will be held at 3:00 PM on Thursday, March 23, 2017 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Rudyard with Father Edward Baafi as celebrant. Friends may call at the church that day from 12:00 noon until the time of the Mass. A Luncheon will follow at the Rudyard Community Center. Burial will be at North Rudyard Cemetery later this spring. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be left to Hospice of the EUP.

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Francis "Tank" Mayer

March 21, 1940 - March 17, 2017