ELMER HOWARD FRANCIS,
79, of Cass City died following a short illness Thursday, March 24, 2011 in Select Specialty Residence, Saginaw. He was born February 14, 1932 in Kingston to Ray E. and Susie L. (Thorp) Francis. He married Janet I. Wright June 25, 1955 in Cass City First Presbyterian Church.
Elmer served in the U.S. Army in Korea 1952 to 1955. He was awarded a Presidential Citation for decoding information from North Korea that contributed to ending the war. Elmer worked as a residential and commercial builder owning his own business, Francis Builders, for 45 years. He was a member and Past Master of Cass City Masonic Blue Lodge; a member of Bay City Consistry as a 32nd degree Mason; Elf Khurafeh Shriners of Saginaw; life member and past Commander of Cass City VFW Post #3644, Cass City United Methodist Church and a life member of Cass City Gun Club. Elmer volunteered as a Circus Daddy at Elf Khurafeh Shrine Circus in Saginaw. He also volunteered as a hospital driver transporting kids to the Shriners Hospital for Children in Chicago.
Elmer did a great deal of Mission work making many trips to Costa Rica and Haiti supervising and helping with the building of schools, churches and other buildings. He loved being outdoors and appreciated nature. Elmer and his great granddaughter regularly fed and watched the birds in their back yard. He enjoyed many types of hunting and fishing, especially trout fishing on the Ausable River with his son in law. Elmer was a Cass City sports fan. He attended nearly every sports event held; first watching his children, then grandchildren and now great grandchildren. He looked forward to playing cribbage with his friends in the early morning. Elmer truly loved his family and friends and never missed an opportunity to give them a hard time.
Elmer is survived by his wife, Janet; children: Debra Ann (Juan) Medrano of San Antonio, TX, Donna Jean (Richard) Hartwick of Cass City, William Howard (lLinda) Francis of San Antonio, TX, Denise Rachel (David) Janssen of Cass City, Deborah Francis of Muskogee, OK; grandchildren: Rachel Medrano, Heidi (Randy) Smith, Kyle (Jennifer) Hartwick, Tiffany Francis, Chad (Crystal) Francis, David Janssen Jr., Renae Janssen, Angela Janssen; great grandchildren: Veronica, Kurt Jr., Spencer, Addison, Olyviya, Alexis, Chelste, Logan, Gabby; great great grandson, Aidin; sisters: Madeline (Karl) Marker of Saginaw, Vivian (Bryce) Updegraff of Ionia; brothers: James (Sharon) Francis of Punta Gorta, FL, Edward (Alice) Francis of Grand Rapids; Stuart (Gloria) Francis of Reese; many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by: son, Fred R. Francis; and grandsons: Ryan W. Hartwick, Jason Medrano, Curt Medrano; brother, John Francis.
Funeral service held 4:00 p.m. Saturday, March 26, 2011 in Kranz Funeral Home, Cass City with Rev. Jackie Roe of Cass City United Methodist Church officiating. Interment will be in Ellington Township Cemetery, Caro. Military honors under the direction of Cass City VFW Post #3644. Memorials may be made to Family Discretionary Fund. Family and friends may share memories, prayers and stories with the family at www.kranzfuneralhome.com.
Visitation: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, March 26, 2011 in Kranz Funeral Home, Cass City
Arrangements by
Kranz Funeral Home, Cass City, Michigan
Debra L. Kranz (989) 872-2195
79, of Cass City died following a short illness Thursday, March 24, 2011 in Select Specialty Residence, Saginaw. He was born February 14, 1932 in Kingston to Ray E. and Susie L. (Thorp) Francis. He married Janet I. Wright June 25, 1955 in Cass City First Presbyterian Church.
Elmer served in the U.S. Army in Korea 1952 to 1955. He was awarded a Presidential Citation for decoding information from North Korea that contributed to ending the war. Elmer worked as a residential and commercial builder owning his own business, Francis Builders, for 45 years. He was a member and Past Master of Cass City Masonic Blue Lodge; a member of Bay City Consistry as a 32nd degree Mason; Elf Khurafeh Shriners of Saginaw; life member and past Commander of Cass City VFW Post #3644, Cass City United Methodist Church and a life member of Cass City Gun Club. Elmer volunteered as a Circus Daddy at Elf Khurafeh Shrine Circus in Saginaw. He also volunteered as a hospital driver transporting kids to the Shriners Hospital for Children in Chicago.
Elmer did a great deal of Mission work making many trips to Costa Rica and Haiti supervising and helping with the building of schools, churches and other buildings. He loved being outdoors and appreciated nature. Elmer and his great granddaughter regularly fed and watched the birds in their back yard. He enjoyed many types of hunting and fishing, especially trout fishing on the Ausable River with his son in law. Elmer was a Cass City sports fan. He attended nearly every sports event held; first watching his children, then grandchildren and now great grandchildren. He looked forward to playing cribbage with his friends in the early morning. Elmer truly loved his family and friends and never missed an opportunity to give them a hard time.
Elmer is survived by his wife, Janet; children: Debra Ann (Juan) Medrano of San Antonio, TX, Donna Jean (Richard) Hartwick of Cass City, William Howard (lLinda) Francis of San Antonio, TX, Denise Rachel (David) Janssen of Cass City, Deborah Francis of Muskogee, OK; grandchildren: Rachel Medrano, Heidi (Randy) Smith, Kyle (Jennifer) Hartwick, Tiffany Francis, Chad (Crystal) Francis, David Janssen Jr., Renae Janssen, Angela Janssen; great grandchildren: Veronica, Kurt Jr., Spencer, Addison, Olyviya, Alexis, Chelste, Logan, Gabby; great great grandson, Aidin; sisters: Madeline (Karl) Marker of Saginaw, Vivian (Bryce) Updegraff of Ionia; brothers: James (Sharon) Francis of Punta Gorta, FL, Edward (Alice) Francis of Grand Rapids; Stuart (Gloria) Francis of Reese; many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by: son, Fred R. Francis; and grandsons: Ryan W. Hartwick, Jason Medrano, Curt Medrano; brother, John Francis.
Funeral service held 4:00 p.m. Saturday, March 26, 2011 in Kranz Funeral Home, Cass City with Rev. Jackie Roe of Cass City United Methodist Church officiating. Interment will be in Ellington Township Cemetery, Caro. Military honors under the direction of Cass City VFW Post #3644. Memorials may be made to Family Discretionary Fund. Family and friends may share memories, prayers and stories with the family at www.kranzfuneralhome.com.
Visitation: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, March 26, 2011 in Kranz Funeral Home, Cass City
Arrangements by
Kranz Funeral Home, Cass City, Michigan
Debra L. Kranz (989) 872-2195
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