Francis Nation

PERRYVILLE, Mo. -- Francis "Bernie" Nation, 86, of Perryville died Sunday, Sept. 7, 2003, at Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau.

He was born Sept. 29, 1916, at Silver Lake, Mo., son of Joseph A. and Anna Robinson Nations. He and Doris B. Bangert were married Dec. 31, 1945. She died Dec. 13, 1985.

Nation retired as a cake mixer from Gilster-Mary Lee Corp. He was a member of St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church, Knights of Columbus Council 1263, American Legion Post 133, and Disabled American Veterans.

He was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II.

Survivors include two sons, Ronald Nation of Argonia, Kan., Paul Nation of Bloomsdale, Mo.; three daughters, Linda Estes of Cape Girardeau, Karen McCrary of Perryville, Diane Fulton of Patton, Mo.; 13 grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by three brothers, two sisters, and a grandson.

Friends may call at Young and Sons Funeral Home from 4 to 9 p.m. today, and Wednesday after 6:30 a.m. The American Legion will have a wake service today at 7.

The funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at the funeral home. The Rev. Bill Thess will officiate. Burial will be in Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery, with military rites by the American Legion.