Francis Leach

Francis E. Leach, 83, formerly of Lynn, passed away at home on Monday morning, June 15. Francis was born on February 1, 1943, in Rush County, Indiana, the son of Kenneth Casper Leach, Sr. & Mary Caroline Duncan Leach.

Francis was a proud protector and servant of his friends and neighbors. He formerly served as Lynn Town Marshal and later a Deputy with the Randolph County Sheriff’s Department. He was the former manager of the Lynn Elevator and formerly worked at Overmyer Mould. He was also the maintenance/custodian for a church.

Francis was a proud family man. He was an avid fisherman and enjoyed nature. He enjoyed fishing in his farm pond in Randolph County, where he spent running around the farm with his canine friend, Bear, cooking out and making homemade ice cream at family gatherings. He liked to spend the warm months in his garden before retreating into the house to work jigsaw puzzles in the winter. Francis was also a skilled Euchre player

Francis will be missed by his wife of 40 years, the former Jane Cadwallader, whom he married on June 29, 1986; daughters, Kathy (Rick) Thomas, Carla (Joni) Lee, Karen (John) McClain, Bonnie (Rob) Hutchens, Becky (Jim) Darling, Ellen (Doug) Shilts and Tammy (Greg) Cox; 12 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren, brother, Leon Leach; sister, Judy L. Smith and several nieces & nephews.

Francis was preceded in death by his daughter, Joan Diann Leach; parents, sisters, Barbara Loyd, Carol Cullins, Marie Saffell and Dorothy Leach; brothers, Casper Kenneth Leach, Jr., Doug Rigney and Kenneth G. Leach; his canine companion, Bear, and his 21-year old feline friend, Missy.

Visitation for Francis will be from Noon – 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, June 18, at the Smith-McQuiston & Webster Funeral Home, 321 US 27 South, Fountain City. His life will be celebrated at 1:00 p.m., followed by interment in Spartanburg Cemetery.

Memorial contributions are encouraged for the Williamsburg Church of the Nazarene Roof Fund, c/o Williamsburg Church of the Nazarene, PO Box 707, Williamsburg, IN 47393.