Person:Francis Massie (1)

Obituary

MASSIE, Francis Don age 92, of St Paris went peacefully to be with the Lord at his home on Saturday, July 28, 2012. Born on June 26, 1920 in South Charleston, Ohio, Francis was a son of the late Walter O. and Elva (Slagle) Massie. He was a 1938 graduate of Westville High School where he excelled in basketball and baseball. He married his sweetheart of 71 years, Anna Jane Springer on October 26, 1941 and she survives. He joined the US Navy in 1945. After the Navy he went to work at Wright Patterson Air Force Base and retired with 32 years of service. He also retired from the former Richeson-Wickham and Atkins Funeral Home, St Paris where he worked for 25 years. Francis was a member of the First Baptist Church of St Paris where he served as a moderator, Deacon and trustee. He also served on the Mission Board, sang in the choir, and he and Anna Jane were co-chairman of the visitation team. He also served as custodian of the church. He and his wife were named Champaign County Senior Citizens of the Year in 2007. Francis was a 32nd Degree Mason and belonged to Harmony Lodge #8 F& AM, Urbana Chapter #34, Urbana Council #59 and Rapier Commanding #19, He was also a member of the American Legion Post #148. He formerly served as an EMS Technician for the Johnson-St Paris EMS. Francis interests were torturing and teasing his grandchildren, going out to eat, planning his next meal, fishing, and camping and traveling. He never met a stranger whether it was at home or in Rome, Italy. And if you talked to him long enough, he would probably discover you were related. In addition to his wife he is survived by two sons and daughters-in laws: Ronald and Rita Massie of St. Paris, Allen and Nancy Massie of Troy, and a daughter, Linda Massie Coleman of St. Paris. He was a loving grandfather to nine grandchildren: Steve (Brenda) Massie, Scott (Ann) Massie, Chad (Becky) Massie, Molly Neagle, Beth (Tim) Rowe, Ben (Ramona) Coleman, Brooke (Len) Radnor, David (Diane) McClure, and Tonya (Steve) Ray; 25 great grandchildren and three great great grandchildren. He is also survived by five sisters: Marcella Mahan, Agnes Lemmon, Eleanora Schneider, Rose Lee and Mary Lee; and two brothers, Roger (Sandy K) Massie and Jerry (Gloria) Massie and a host of nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by a daughter-in-law, Donna Stevens Massie, a sister Eloise Putnam, and a brother, Raymond Massie. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, August 1, 2012 at 11:00 am in the First Baptist Church, St Paris, Ohio with Reverend Dr James VanZile assisted by Reverend Ben R Coleman III. Burial will follow in Upper Honey Creek Cemetery, St Paris. There will be one hour of visitation from 10:00 to 11:00 am prior to the service in the church. An evening of visitation will also be held on Tuesday, July 31, 2012 from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm in the Atkins-Shively Funeral Home, 216 S Springfield Street, St Paris with Masonic services at 7:30 pm.

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3} Francis Don Massie, in Find A Grave.