John A. Francis

John Arthur Francis, 92, of Morgantown, West Virginia, passed away January 18, 2018. He was a gentle, loving man who will be missed by many. He was born at home in Akron, Ohio to John and Nettie Francis on February 28, 1925. He grew up on his family farm in Deerfield, Ohio, where he graduated from high school in 1943.
He married Ellen Mae Weaver in 1951 and they raised a family in West Akron. John was a veteran of the U.S. Navy, serving in World War II and the Korean War. He retired from the U. S. Postal Service with 40 years of service.
John was preceded in death by his parents, beloved wife, Ellen, and granddaughter, Hope Ellen Francis. He is survived by long-time companion, Maxine Livengood, and her family; his children and their spouses, David and Jenifer Francis of Shalersville, OH, Becky and Barry Venetta of Littleton, CO, Janet and Patrick McGregor of Richfield, OH, and Bruce and Deborah Francis of Ponte Vedra, FL; grandchildren, Brittany (Tom) Detlefsen, Kristen (Bill) Cope, Brandon (Vanessa) Venetta, Rachael Francis, Cameron Francis, Blake Francis and Everett McGregor; great grandchildren, Betania Venetta and Boden Detlefsen; siblings, Immogene Francis, Norma (George) Hampu, Glenn Francis, Ruth Rogers and Shirley Mayfield; and a host of nieces, nephews and friends.
John was a kind gentleman who loved his family and everyone he ever met. He particularly enjoyed entertaining his grandchildren with his silly sense of humor. He was a beautiful singer who enjoyed singing in many church choirs over the years, as well as the Hudson Community Chorus.
Services will be held 2 p.m. Saturday, January 27, at the Billow FAIRLAWN Chapel, 85 N. Miller Rd., Akron, OH 44333., where friends may call 1 hour prior to the service. Burial will follow at Rose Hill Burial Park in Fairlawn. Marla Wood Kay, Deaconess of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church will officiate. Memorials may be made to Mr. Holland's Opus Foundation at www.mhopus.org . Keep music alive in our schools! To share a Memory, Send a Condolence, Light a Candle or Send Flowers, visit the Tribute Wall at www.billowfuneralhomes.com (Billow FAIRLAWN Chapel)