Aden Francis

Francis, Aden H. 11/22/1927 - 10/30/2020 formerly of Comstock Twp. Aden H. Francis, formerly of Comstock Township, died October 30, 2020 at Friendship Village in Kalamazoo. Aden was born in Pittsburgh, PA on November 22, 1927 to Aden G. and Mary (Schaar) Francis. He was a graduate of Taylor Allderdice High School. Immediately following graduation, Aden served as a medic in the Army during World War II. He graduated from Penn State University School of Forestry. Aden met Merna Partington while working at the H.J. Heinz Company in Muscatine, IA and they were united in marriage on October 24, 1954. They moved to this area in 1973. Aden's professional life centered around horticulture, working with farmers to identify treatments to ensure abundant crop yields with HJ Heinz, Niagara Seed, FMC, and Rhne Poulenc. Aden enjoyed growing and selling Christmas Trees on their Three Pig Farm and growing and crossbreeding daylilies. He had an abundant garden with fresh vegetables, flowers and miniature pumpkins which he shared with others. He was a member of Gull Lake United Methodist Church and professional associations. He and his wife created the Aden H. And Merna I. Francis Scholarship in Horticulture at Penn State University to encourage young people entering the field. He is survived by a daughter, the Rev. Dr. Tamara A. (Rev. Philip) Wilden of Delaware, OH; a son, Aden Eric (Dr. Tyra Wolfsberg) Francis of Vienna, VA; and four grandchildren (Rebecca, Andrew, and Elizabeth Wilden and Nathaniel Francis). Aden was preceded in death by his parents; his sisters, Doris Duncan and Janet Francis; and his wife, Merna, in January. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, no calling hours will be observed. A graveside service with full military honors will be held at Fort Custer National Cemetery, Augusta, MI at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, November 3. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be shared with the Gull Lake United Methodist Church, 8640 Gull Road, Richland, MI 49083. Arrangements by the Farley Estes Dowdle Funeral Home & Cremation Care, Richland Chapel. Personal messages and/or favorite memories of Aden may be placed at www.farleyestesdowdle.com