Dean Samuel Francis
June 30, 1923 — April 29, 2011
Dean Samuel Francis
June 30, 1923-April 29, 2011
Dean Samuel Francis graduated from his mortal existence Friday, April 29, 2011. He was born to Edwin Neils Francis and Evaline Larsen June 30, 1923 in Taber, Alberta, Canada. He grew up working hard on the family farm with 10 siblings. Upon graduation from high school in 1941, he taught school briefly then enlisted in the Royal Canadian Air Force. He served as a pilot and earned the commission of Lieutenant during World War II. After the war, he was called to serve as a missionary in the Northern California Mission. In 1950, he met Carol Clark of Benjamin, Utah and they soon fell in love. They were married January 10, 1951 in the Salt Lake Temple. Dean graduated from BYU with a B.S. in Chemistry and Agronomy. Dean moved his family to Springville, Utah in 1965, where they have resided since. Dean served as a faithful member of the LDS church in many leadership positions and with the family history library.
He is survived by his wife Carol and children: Ann (Rex) Merrill, Russell Stevens, Sam (Becky) Francis, Lori (Steven) Lutz, Kerri (David) Wu, Paula (Kevin) Crandall, 24 grandchildren, and 18 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Linda Stevens.
A viewing will be held Friday, May 6th from 6-8 p.m. at Wheeler Mortuary, 211 E 200 S, Springville, Utah. Funeral services will take place May 7th at 11:00 a.m. at the Springville Stake Center 245 S 600 E (Kolob Circle) with a viewing 1 hour prior to service. Interment will be at the Benjamin Cemetery.