Delbert "Doc" J. Francis, 80, Russia-Versailles Road, Russia, died at 6:20 p.m. July 30, 2009, at Versailles Health Care Center, Versailles.

He was born May 15, 1929, in Dayton to Delbert J. Sr. and Ruth Emily Schwartz Francis. On Jan. 4, 1951, he married Hilda L Poeppelman, who survives.

Other survivors are two sons, John (Becky) Francis, Fort Loramie, and Ken (Julie) Francis, Russia; four daughters, Debbie (Dave) Boerger, Orchard Lake, Mich., Laura (Ron) Simon and Joan (Mike) Bergman, all of Russia, and Sherry (Fred) Sommer, Minster; a sister, Rita (Ralph) Schulze, Russia; 19 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

Deceased are four grandchildren.

He was a rural route mail carrier for the Houston & Russia Post offices for 16 years. After his father died in 1976, he became president of the Francis-Schulze Co., and retired from the company in 2004 after 30 years.

He was a veteran of the U.S. Army, having served in the Korean War. He was a member of St. Remy Catholic Church, where he had served as past president of the parish council. He was a past chairman of the Russia Civic Association and the Russia Homecoming Committee, treasurer of the St. Dennis K of C, lifetime member of St. Remy K of C, Sidney American Legion and St. Remmy Catholic War Veterans. He also served as a Shelby County AAA board member. He graduated from Russia High School in 1947.

Funeral mass is 10:30 a.m. Monday at the church, the Rev. Frank Amberger officiating. Burial is at the church cemetery with full military honors by the St. Remy Catholic War Veterans.

Calling is 2-8 p.m. Sunday and 9-9:45 a.m. Monday at Gehret Funeral Home, Ft. Loramie.

Contributions can be made to Wilson Hospice Care.

Condolences can be left at www.gehretfuneralhome.com