Frank Jeffrey Francis

Highlandtown-Frank Jeffrey Francis, 71, passed away on Thursday, February 22, 2024 at Advent Health Lake Wales following a brief illness.

He was born on July 25, 1952 in East Liverpool and was the son of the late Clarence “Bevo” Francis and Jean Francis of Salineville and was a winter resident of Frostproof since 2008.

Frank graduated with the class of 1970 at Southern Local High School, where he was a football and basketball player. He was nominated and accepted into Southern Local High School’s Athletic Hall of Fame, but he declined the honor feeling there were more worthy athletes. Following graduation, Frank enlisted in the Army, where he served with the 101st Airborne Division in Vietnam and 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 worked as a truck driver 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. 

In addition to 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, Zachary (Becca) Francis who he helped raise; several other grandchildren including, Cameron Byerly, Audrey Childs, Raven Francis, and Zane Francis;  great-granddaughter, Harper; sister, Marge (Larry) Grimm; nephew, Jarrod (Rachel) Grimm; and special friend, Anna Alexander.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00pm, Monday, March 4, 2024 at Eells-Leggett-Stauffer Funeral Home with Rev. Terri Swails officiating. Burial with full military honors will follow at Bethel Presbyterian Church Cemetery in Salineville, Ohio.

The family will receive friends and family from 11am until the time of services Monday at the funeral home.

Friends may view Frank’s memorial tribute, share a memory, and leave condolences at www.eells-leggett-stauffer.com  

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