Elton Francis

Elton Francis, age 92, of Iola, Kansas, formerly of Colony, passed away Friday, December 6, 2013 at the Allen County Hospital, Iola. Everett Elton Francis was the first born child of Ira and Pearl (Scott) Francis on October 22, 1921 at LaHarpe, Kansas. He grew up on the family farm east of LeRoy, Kansas, attending country schools, and then graduated from LeRoy High School. He entered the United States Army, where he served in the 68th Medic Division in the South Pacific Theater for 33 months during World War II. Following the war, he returned to the family farm and then worked in construction in Ottawa, Kansas. He married Myrtle Shepard, and this union was blessed with two daughters. The family moved to Westphalia where Elton was the City Marshall, and he began working for the Anderson County Road Department. In 1956 they moved to Colony and he began operating a road grader. Elton worked as a custodian for the Colony Schools and Nichols Oil Company before returning to the road grader for the county, and retired from this position after 33 years. After retirement, he volunteered to run the concession stand for the summer Little League ballgames, which he and Myrtle enjoyed very much. They also raised a large garden each year, sharing with neighbors and friends. A favorite pastime was making rugs on a loom. Over the years, he instructed many area 4-Hers in making rugs for the area fairs, and took pride that several of the kids won ribbons for their efforts. Elton served on the Colony City Council for many years, as well as the Rural Water District He was a long time member of the Kincaid VFW. Elton was baptized by a missionary in the Pacific Ocean while serving in Guadalcanal. Elton was preceded in death by his parents, and one brother, Scott in 2009. He is survived by his wife Myrtle, of the home; two daughters, Janila Preston and husband Lewis, of Uniontown, Kansas and Kloma Buckle and husband Richard, of Colony; three grandchildren, Teresa Hall and husband Cliff of Bronson, Kansas, Melissa Hobbs and husband Sid of Colony, and Tom Buckle and wife Sharon of Colony; eight great-grandsons, Sage and Brock Hall, Nate and Gabe Berry, Brody Hobbs, Levi, Blake and Noah Ashmore; and one sister, Olive Carpenter of Iola. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM, Wednesday, December 11, 2013 at the Feuerborn Family Funeral Service Chapel, Colony. Following burial in the Colony Cemetery the family will greet friends at the Colony Community Room. Memorial contributions may be made to the Colony Fire Department or the Colony Little League Association and left in care of the funeral home. Condolences to the family may be left at www.feuerbornfuneral.com .