Paul Francis

Paul Francis, 94, of Chillicothe, passed away Saturday evening, October 3, 2009, at Traditions of Chillicothe. He was born October 21, 1914, in Adams County, Ohio, the son of George Eli and Jessie Lee (Treftz) Francis. On May 3, 1937, he married Ruth (Hollis) who preceded him in death in 2004. Surviving family members are daughters Nancy Jividen, Chillicothe, Rebecca Carpenter, Columbus, Holly Francis, Durham, North Carolina, Deborah (Joe) Lawson, Charleston, South Carolina; sons Steve Francis, Chicago, Illinois, Edwin (Jennifer Pah) Francis, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; 11 grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren, 2 great-grand-children, and many loving nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by sisters Marie Bennett and Louise White, brothers Frank Francis and Ralph Francis, and grandsons Robbie and Kris Jividen. Paul began his career as a teacher in Huntington Township in 1934. He started working for Mead Paper Corporation in 1937, retiring in 1977 as head of quality control for both mills. While working for Mead, he was instrumental in designing the Research Building. Paul served in the US Navy in World War II as an electronic technician. Paul was active in his church and community. He was a member of the Chillicothe Evening Lions Club from the age of 21 to the present day, serving as District Governor of the Lions Club International for one year. He was a life-long member of Trinity United Methodist Church and an honored member of the Trinity Men's Brotherhood. In his heart, Paul was always a teacher. He loved it when his children or grand children would climb into his lap so he could tell them stories of his youth in Adams County, read them a book, or tell them how to make paper. He was a great man and led a full, happy life. The one thing he was most proud of was that he and his wife Ruth had created one of the best families around. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am Thursday, October 8, 2009 in the chapel of the Fawcett Oliver Glass and Palmer Funeral Home with Rev. Malcolm "Mack" White officiating. Burial will follow in Greenlawn Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 6:00 to 8:00 pm on Wednesday where a Chillicothe Evening Lions Club Memorial Service will be held at 7:30 pm. Memorial contributions may be made to the Chillicothe Evening Lions Club, P.O. Box 567, Chillicothe, OH 45601.