Robert Francis

MARBLE HILL, Mo. -- Robert L. Francis, 87, of Marble Hill, formerly of Jackson, passed away Monday, Nov. 2, 2020, at Southeast Hospital in Cape Girardeau.

He was born Aug. 7, 1933, in Salem, Illinois, to Otto K. "O.K" and Louise Schanafelt Francis. He and Irene J. Forst were married July 11, 1959, in Salem. They had been married nearly 51 years when Irene passed away March 30, 2010.

Robert served honorably in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. He earned a master's degree in agribusiness from Southern Illinois University-Carbondale. Thereafter, he worked over 10 years as the farm manager for SIU.

In 1976, the family moved to Jackson. Robert drove several years for Purolator, farmed, and later worked part-time at Shawneetown Feed and Seed, a job he greatly enjoyed.

Robert's "second career" was scouting. He served as a scoutmaster in Carbondale and Jackson. He was very active in coordinating events at Camp Lewallen, serving as the rifle range master and archery instructor. He received the Silver Beaver Award and was a Vigil Member of the Anpetu-We Lodge, Order of the Arrow.

Robert's other memberships include Abbey Road Christian Church in Cape Girardeau; the National Rifle Association; Altenthal-Joerns American Legion Post 158 in Jackson; West Salem Masonic Lodge No. 866 AF & AM in Salem, and he was a former Shriner.

Loving survivors include four children, Rob (Barb) Francis of Jackson; Anna (Matt) Strong of Scopus, Missouri; Bill (Becky) Francis of French Village, Missouri; and Chad (Jennifer) Francis of Shawnee, Kansas; a sister, Miriam K. "Kay" (Ken) Andersen; 21 grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wife, his parents and a brother, Bill D. Francis.

Visitation will be from 11 a.m. to service time Friday at McCombs Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Jackson.

The funeral will be at 1 p.m. Friday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Mike Parry officiating. Interment and military honors will follow at Cook Cemetery in Scopus, Missouri.

Memorials may take the form of contributions to the Boy Scouts of American Greater St. Louis Area Council, 3000 Gordonville Rd., Cape Girardeau, MO 63701.

Online condolences may be sent to the family by clicking on the tribute wall tab of Robert's personal obituary page at www.mccombsfuneralhome.com.