Francis Alonzo Force

FRANCIS (FRANK) ALONZO FORCE Francis (Frank) Alonzo Force, passed February 24, 2010. He entered this world April 26, 1917, born to parents Edward Alger Force and Lena Belle Hill Force in Meleta (Gardena), Los Angeles, California, a second generation Californian. Francis was 2nd of 5 children, when very young, the family moved from Los Angeles County, to Garden Grove, Orange County, California growing up on a farm next door to his pioneer maternal grandparents Samuel Hill (of Ireland) and Leonor Lena (Mae) Sidnam Hill (of Iowa). During Francis lifetime he was a trainman - brakeman and conductor for the Atchinson, Topeka, and Santa Fe Railroad, Southern Pacific, Santa Maria Valley Railroad, and Chief Traveling Inspector for Transcontinental Freight Bureau. Working constantly, he was a farmer, rancher, as well as wholesaler and retailer of produce. Francis (Frank) is survived by his wife of 46 years, Ava Mae Kepner Force residing in Frostproof, FL. Frank was a wonderful loving husband of 46 years, always smiling with a tremendous deep voice. He and his wife boomed around the country seeing America. His home was always visited by so many young people seeking him out for advice and to hear his stories of his life happenings. He was history. Francis has been a wonderful father of 3 children who survive him, Lonnie Force - Tacoma, Washington, Geraldine Kaatman Santa Ana, CA; Betty Pacot Dove Canyon, CA; 2 sisters of Woodland, CA; nieces and nephews; 9 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren all over the Pacific Coast - Idaho, Colorado, Oklahoma, including New Zealand. He is also survived by his sister-in-law Lela Kepner Bettis and brother-in-law Brad Bettis and children of TX; and his wonderful mother-in-law Florence Alma Dady Kepner of Creston, IA. His mother-in law and he laughed a lot together. Francis was preceded in death by his parents, Edward Force and (Lena) Belle Hill Force; brother Harold; sister Norma; brother-in-laws, Richard L. Hunt, John Hubert Kane, and Cliff Hallett. Funeral services will take place at 1:00pm on Tuesday, March 2, 2010 at Stephenson-Nelson Funeral Home, Sebring, Rev. Mike Adams officiating. Family will receive friends one hour prior to the service beginning at 12:00noon. Entombment at Lakeview Memorial Gardens will be immediately following the service. Arrangements have been entrusted to: Stephenson-Nelson Funeral Home Sebring, Florida 863-385-0125