Merl D. Francis, son of Art & Blanche (Hill) Francis, was born February 21, 1926 in Republican City, Nebraska on the family farm which was located where the Harlan County Lake now stands. He passed away December 20, 2011 at the Phillips County Hospital in Phillipsburg, Kansas at the age of 85.
The youngest of three brothers, Merl grew up in the Phillipsburg area and graduated from Phillipsburg High School. He served in the Army during World War II and was proud of his military service.
On August 15, 1947, he married Geraldine Hopson. Merl & his wife, "Gerry", resided most of their lives in Phillipsburg except for 15 years when they lived in southern California. They were blessed with three children – sons, Jim and Rick and daughter, Marcia.
While in California, Merl served as President of the local Optimist Club and pretty much lived his life in accordance to that creed. Most of his working years were spent in Sales, but he was able to complete two years of college at Loma Linda University near Riverside, California, before returning to Kansas in 1963 to take over the family's farming operation.
After coming back to Phillipsburg, Merl served as a County Commissioner, was a member of the VFW and also a member of the local Elks Club.
His parents; wife, Gerry; and two brothers, Warren and Duane, preceded him in death.
He is survived by his three children: Marcia Paulsen & husband, Dennis, of Phillipsburg, KS; Jim Francis & wife, Marti, of Greeley, CO; and Rick Francis & wife, Brenda, of Shawnee, KS; five grandchildren: Tiffany & Curt VanDerVeen; Stephanie & Hans Wach; Courtney & Ty Martin; Brian & Lauren Francis; and Emily Francis; and eight great-grandchildren: Michael, Chloe, Caden, Dacen, Brielle, Jack, Kate and Ethan.
Funeral services will be held Friday, Dec. 23, 2011 at 2:00 p.m. in the First Christian Church, Phillipsburg, with Pastor LeRoy Herder officiating. Burial will follow in the Iowa Union Cemetery, Phillips County, with military honors by Fort Riley.
Merl Francis will lie in-state Wed. from 5:00 – 9:00 p.m. and Thurs. from 9:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. at the Olliff-Boeve Memorial Chapel, Phillipsburg.
Memorial contributions may be given to the First Christian Church.
The youngest of three brothers, Merl grew up in the Phillipsburg area and graduated from Phillipsburg High School. He served in the Army during World War II and was proud of his military service.
On August 15, 1947, he married Geraldine Hopson. Merl & his wife, "Gerry", resided most of their lives in Phillipsburg except for 15 years when they lived in southern California. They were blessed with three children – sons, Jim and Rick and daughter, Marcia.
While in California, Merl served as President of the local Optimist Club and pretty much lived his life in accordance to that creed. Most of his working years were spent in Sales, but he was able to complete two years of college at Loma Linda University near Riverside, California, before returning to Kansas in 1963 to take over the family's farming operation.
After coming back to Phillipsburg, Merl served as a County Commissioner, was a member of the VFW and also a member of the local Elks Club.
His parents; wife, Gerry; and two brothers, Warren and Duane, preceded him in death.
He is survived by his three children: Marcia Paulsen & husband, Dennis, of Phillipsburg, KS; Jim Francis & wife, Marti, of Greeley, CO; and Rick Francis & wife, Brenda, of Shawnee, KS; five grandchildren: Tiffany & Curt VanDerVeen; Stephanie & Hans Wach; Courtney & Ty Martin; Brian & Lauren Francis; and Emily Francis; and eight great-grandchildren: Michael, Chloe, Caden, Dacen, Brielle, Jack, Kate and Ethan.
Funeral services will be held Friday, Dec. 23, 2011 at 2:00 p.m. in the First Christian Church, Phillipsburg, with Pastor LeRoy Herder officiating. Burial will follow in the Iowa Union Cemetery, Phillips County, with military honors by Fort Riley.
Merl Francis will lie in-state Wed. from 5:00 – 9:00 p.m. and Thurs. from 9:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. at the Olliff-Boeve Memorial Chapel, Phillipsburg.
Memorial contributions may be given to the First Christian Church.
Merl D. Francis, son of Art & Blanche (Hill) Francis, was born February 21, 1926 in Republican City, Nebraska on the family farm which was located where the Harlan County Lake now stands. He passed away December 20, 2011 at the Phillips County Hospital in Phillipsburg, Kansas at the age of 85.
The youngest of three brothers, Merl grew up in the Phillipsburg area and graduated from Phillipsburg High School. He served in the Army during World War II and was proud of his military service.
On August 15, 1947, he married Geraldine Hopson. Merl & his wife, "Gerry", resided most of their lives in Phillipsburg except for 15 years when they lived in southern California. They were blessed with three children – sons, Jim and Rick and daughter, Marcia.
While in California, Merl served as President of the local Optimist Club and pretty much lived his life in accordance to that creed. Most of his working years were spent in Sales, but he was able to complete two years of college at Loma Linda University near Riverside, California, before returning to Kansas in 1963 to take over the family's farming operation.
After coming back to Phillipsburg, Merl served as a County Commissioner, was a member of the VFW and also a member of the local Elks Club.
His parents; wife, Gerry; and two brothers, Warren and Duane, preceded him in death.
He is survived by his three children: Marcia Paulsen & husband, Dennis, of Phillipsburg, KS; Jim Francis & wife, Marti, of Greeley, CO; and Rick Francis & wife, Brenda, of Shawnee, KS; five grandchildren: Tiffany & Curt VanDerVeen; Stephanie & Hans Wach; Courtney & Ty Martin; Brian & Lauren Francis; and Emily Francis; and eight great-grandchildren: Michael, Chloe, Caden, Dacen, Brielle, Jack, Kate and Ethan.
Funeral services will be held Friday, Dec. 23, 2011 at 2:00 p.m. in the First Christian Church, Phillipsburg, with Pastor LeRoy Herder officiating. Burial will follow in the Iowa Union Cemetery, Phillips County, with military honors by Fort Riley.
Merl Francis will lie in-state Wed. from 5:00 – 9:00 p.m. and Thurs. from 9:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. at the Olliff-Boeve Memorial Chapel, Phillipsburg.
Memorial contributions may be given to the First Christian Church.
The youngest of three brothers, Merl grew up in the Phillipsburg area and graduated from Phillipsburg High School. He served in the Army during World War II and was proud of his military service.
On August 15, 1947, he married Geraldine Hopson. Merl & his wife, "Gerry", resided most of their lives in Phillipsburg except for 15 years when they lived in southern California. They were blessed with three children – sons, Jim and Rick and daughter, Marcia.
While in California, Merl served as President of the local Optimist Club and pretty much lived his life in accordance to that creed. Most of his working years were spent in Sales, but he was able to complete two years of college at Loma Linda University near Riverside, California, before returning to Kansas in 1963 to take over the family's farming operation.
After coming back to Phillipsburg, Merl served as a County Commissioner, was a member of the VFW and also a member of the local Elks Club.
His parents; wife, Gerry; and two brothers, Warren and Duane, preceded him in death.
He is survived by his three children: Marcia Paulsen & husband, Dennis, of Phillipsburg, KS; Jim Francis & wife, Marti, of Greeley, CO; and Rick Francis & wife, Brenda, of Shawnee, KS; five grandchildren: Tiffany & Curt VanDerVeen; Stephanie & Hans Wach; Courtney & Ty Martin; Brian & Lauren Francis; and Emily Francis; and eight great-grandchildren: Michael, Chloe, Caden, Dacen, Brielle, Jack, Kate and Ethan.
Funeral services will be held Friday, Dec. 23, 2011 at 2:00 p.m. in the First Christian Church, Phillipsburg, with Pastor LeRoy Herder officiating. Burial will follow in the Iowa Union Cemetery, Phillips County, with military honors by Fort Riley.
Merl Francis will lie in-state Wed. from 5:00 – 9:00 p.m. and Thurs. from 9:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. at the Olliff-Boeve Memorial Chapel, Phillipsburg.
Memorial contributions may be given to the First Christian Church.
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