Lloyd “Verlin” Francis, 94, formerly of Wayne, NE, died Sunday, April 14, 2019 at CHI Health St. Francis in Grand Island.

Service and celebration of Verlin’s life will be Saturday, April 20that 11:00 am at the First Presbyterian Church in Grand Island, with Pastor Gary Smith officiating. Burial will be at 2:00 pm in Fullerton Cemetery. 

Visitation is an hour prior the service at the church.  All Faiths Funeral Home is entrusted with arrangements. 

Mr. Francis was born on July 16, 1924, to Oren Bruce and Lelah Edna (Warren) Francis at the farm home in Burr Oak, KS.  He joined a sister, Letha Fern and three brothers, Dallas, Doyle and Vaughn.  The family moved to a farm south of Fullerton in 1926.  Verlin attended a country school, Liberty Knowles, District 16, and was a member of the Methodist Church.  He graduated from Fullerton High School in 1941 and went on to attend Midland College in Fremont.  While in college, he worked at a mausoleum. 

In 1942, Verlin went to California to work in a Consolidated Aircraft Factory.  He returned to help his brother on the farm in 1943.  Verlin enlisted with the US Army on January 1945 and left for Japan later that year.  He was with the 1777 Construction Engineers while stationed in Fukuoka, Japan. He was honorably discharged November 17, 1946.

Verlin returned to Fullerton and was employed by Peterson Farm Implement.  He was united in marriage to Nelva ‘Elaine” Downing on March 2, 1947 at the Presbyterian Church in Fullerton.   In 1948, he was employed by the Soil Conservation Service and they moved to Blair where two sons were born, Richard and Mark.  The family moved to Elkhorn in 1954.  After two years, Verlin was assigned to Lyons, where the family lived for ten years.  While in Lyons, two daughters completed the family, Carol and Lori.  In 1966, Verlin transferred to Wayne, where he and Elaine would remain for the next 51 years and he retired from the SCS after 37 years.

Throughout his life, Verlin would donate his time to fix anything that needed repairing for family or friends.  He worked 12 years in Scouting and was made Scout Master.  In addition, he was in the Masonic Lodge over 60 years and was a Master Mason while in Lyons.  Verlin has served as an Elder and Deacon in the Presbyterian Church.

After his retirement, Verlin drove the Wayne-Carroll school bus for eight years and then drove escort for Heritage Homes.  He loved collecting toy tractors and wrenches.  Verlin enjoyed numerous camping trips with his family and traveled all over the US.  Verlin and Elaine were able to enjoy their 50th wedding anniversary in England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales.

Verlin is survived by his wife of 72 years, Elaine of Grand Island; son, Mark (Deana) Francis of Lincoln; daughters, Carol Larsen of Bancroft and Lori Francis (Randy Barling) of Grand Island; seven grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; son, Richard Francis; sister, Letha (Don) Russell; brothers, Dallas, Doyle (Agnes) and Vaughn (Edna); and son-in-law, Jeffrey Larsen.

Memorials are suggested to the family to be designated at a later date.

Online remembrances may be left at www.giallfaiths.com.

Source: http://www.enterprisepub.com/burtcounty/obits/lloyd-verlin-francis/article_5203db82-6245-11e9-ab34-5b7778642d76.html