Robert Francis

MARBLE HILL, Mo. -- Robert William "Bob" Francis, 88, of Marble Hill died Monday, April 2, 2007, at Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau.

He was born July 14, 1918, in Lutesville, Mo., son of Isaac David and Della Iretha Biffle Pulliam Francis.

Mr. Francis grew up near Lutesville, attending school at Revelle, Lutesville and Marble Hill. During the Depression years he worked in Illinois as a farm laborer, at a lawn mower factory, and for the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad as a telegraph line layer.

He joined the Army Air Corps in 1942. He married Flora Edith Myers in May 1942 while serving his country in California. He served in the Army Air Corps, active Air Force and the Air Force Reserves until 1964, attaining the rank of master sergeant.

He and Flora lived in California until 2000. Bob was a master automobile mechanic who owned and operated four service stations at various times in San Bernardino, Moraga, Walnut Creek and Concord, Calif. He was a resident of Pleasant Hill, Calif., 38 years and a member of Fair Oaks Baptist Church of Concord.

In 2000 Robert and Flora moved back to Marble Hill. Flora died Nov. 1, 2000.

Robert and Mary SaLena Withers Clubb were married Oct. 9, 2004.

They were members of Marble Hill United Methodist Church.

Survivors include his wife; a son, Robert W. (Nancy) Francis Jr. of Gaithersburg, Md.; a daughter, Marjorie Ann Davies of Santa Rosa, Calif.; three stepsons, Richard (Glee) Clubb of Marble Hill, John (Vickie) Clubb of Cape Girardeau, Bob (Jean) Clubb of Leopold, Mo.; six grandchildren, Aaron, Jesse, Luke and Nate Francis, and Damon Davies and Leah Woodcock; three stepgrandchildren, J.P., Nicholas and Tyler Clubb; four great-grandchildren, Cora and Eric Woodcock, Curtis and Andrew Davies; two great-stepgrandchildren, Lorelai and Truman Clubb; two sisters, Virginia Kelley and June Brockmeir of St. Louis.

An infant son preceded him in death.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Monday at Hutchings Funeral Chapel in Marble Hill.

The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday at the chapel, with the Rev. Michael Kelpe officiating. Burial will be in Baker Cemetery with ceremony by Missouri Military Honors Team.