Frank Jeffrey Francis

Frank Jeffrey Francis, 71

Frank Jeffrey Francis of Highlandtown passed away on February 22, 2024 at AdventHealth Lake Wales following a brief illness.

Frank was a Winter Resident of Lake Wales since 2008. He was the son of the late Clarence “Bevo” Francis and Jean Francis of Salinville. He was born in East Liverpool on July 25, 1952. Frank graduated with the class of 1970 at Southern Local High School. He was a football and basketball player. He was nominated and accepted into Southern Locals’ Athletic Hall of Fame but he declined the honor feeling there were more worthy athletes. Following graduation, Frank enlisted in the Army. He served with the 101st Airborne Division in Vietnam and he received the following honors for his service: National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with two bronze stars, Vietnam Combat Medal with 50 Device, Combat Infantry Badge, Bronze Star Medal, Air Medal, and Oversea Service Bar.

He worked at Crucible Steel Mill in the blast furnace until the mill closed. He then was a truck driver working for Dailey Refuse, Vernon Gossman Trucking and Weir -Cove. He spent the last 26 years of his life disabled following a traffic accident. He could be seen puttering around doing chores with his ubiquitous cane in hand. Prior to his accident, Frank enjoyed rabbit and coon hunting with his father. After his accident, he chose less strenuous hobbies. He collected beer signs, coffee pots, and bed pans. The barn was “decorated” with these things along with many others and served as the setting for an annual simple hollow jamboree. Frank was a member of the American Legion and VFW.

Along with his mother Jean, Frank is also survived by his wife of 51 years, Gwen Sturgeon Francis; his daughter, Sarah (Heather) Francis of Independence, Kentucky; his son, Scott Francis of Cresson, Pennsylvania; his grandson who he helped raise, Zachary (Becca) Francis; great-granddaughter, Harper; sister, Marge (Larry) Grimm; nephew, Jarrod (Rachel) Grimm; and several other grandchildren including, Cameron Byerly, and Audrey Childs.

A visitation will be held from 1:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m., Tuesday, February 27, 2024 at Marion Nelson Funeral Home in Frostproof. Another visitation will be held from 11:00 p.m. until the funeral service at 1:00 p.m., Monday, March 4, 2024 at Eells-Leggett-Stauffer Funeral Home (215 West Lincoln Way, Lisbon, Ohio 44432) with Rev. Terri Swails officiating. Interment will follow at Bethel Presbyterian Church Cemetery in Salineville, Ohio.