Francis Denning

CHARLESTON, Mo. -- Francis Warren Denning, 82, of Charleston died Thursday, May 22, 2003, at Charleston Manor.

He was born March 31, 1921, in East Prairie, Mo., son of James Orb and Hattie Lee McClanahan Denning. He and Ethel May Stokes were married April 16, 1938. She died Feb. 26, 1988.

Denning lived in Mississippi County most of his life, and was a retired carpenter.

He served in the U.S. Army during World War II.

Survivors include six sons, Frank, Charles and Billy Denning, all of Chicago, Bobby and Robert Denning of Sikeston, Mo., Michael Denning of Elizabethtown, Tenn.; three daughters, Mary Keltner and Eva Dawson of Terra Haute, Ind., Frances Schlosser of Arcadia, Mo.; two brothers, J.W. Denning of Cape Girardeau, Alvie Denning of Carol Stream, Ill.; three sisters, Lena Fagan of McLeansboro, Ill., Edna Zook of St. Louis, Sylvia Houston of Pacific, Mo.; 22 grandchildren; and 22 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by a brother and three sisters.

Friends may call at McMikle Funeral Home in Charleston from 5 to 8 p.m. Monday.

The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Lee Fansler officiating. Burial will be in IOOF Cemetery, with military graveside rites by Missouri Military Honor Guard.