RUSSIA, Ohio — Home furnishings retailer Ronald Simon Francis passed away Aug. 19 at the age of 90.
The oldest child of Glen and Melva Francis, Francis was born at home on June 17, 1934, in Russia, Ohio. He graduated from Holy Angels High School in 1953 and served in the U.S. Army for two years, stationed in Germany. After he returned to civilian life, Francis joined his father working at Francis Furniture store in Celina, Ohio, for 15 years.
In 1980, Francis built a second Francis Furniture location and moved his family to Sidney, Ohio. He went on to add stores in in Troy and Greenville, Ohio, eventually retiring in the 1990s.
Francis is survived by his wife of 65 years, Patricia, five children and grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held at St. Remy Catholic Church at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, Aug. 27. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Ronald S. Francis Scholarship fund c/o of Holy Angels School, Sidney, Ohio, or the Holy Angels Soup Kitchen.