Holton-Mildred Esther Scritchfield Francis, 85, of Holton, KS passed away April 28, 2009 at her home. She was the third child of Floyd C. and Elsie Case Scritchfield. She was born in Topeka, KS on January 6, 1924. She went to Sunny Side School on Burlingame Road for four years, then to Central Park, Boswell and graduated from Topeka High in 1942.
She retired from a dental lab in Topeka. She married Richard B. Francis on December 29, 1948, they moved to St. Louis in 1951 when Sgt. Francis was on recruiting duty. They lived in Colorado Springs, Junction City, Alexandria, VA and Wichita. After Richard retired from the service in 1968, they moved back to Holton and lived in the apartment Richard had lived in all his life. He passed away on October 24, 1977.
Mildred was a former member of the First Presbyterian Church, a member of the Order of Eastern Star, Chapter P P.E.O., The Bookman Club, life member V.F.W Auxiliary and American Legion Auxiliary, life member of Shawnee County and Topeka High Historical Society and life member of Jackson County Historical Society where she had served as volunteer director of the Up-Town Museum for more than 20 years.
Survivors include a sister, Lois Raab of West Hollywood, CA; two nieces, Nancy Rojas of Austin, TX and Meredith Carter of Stewartsville, MO and a grand nephew, William Casey Lowe and his wife, Kristi of Arlington, VA.
Committal service will be 11:00 a.m. Thursday, April 30, 2009 at the Holton Cemetery. Memorials may be given to the Beck-Bookman Library or Jackson County Historical Society c/o Mercer Funeral Home P.O. Box 270, Holton, KS 66436.