LTC Larry Gene Francis, US Army Retired, 68, of Cleona, passed away suddenly on Sunday, June 12, 2022. He was the loving husband of Teresa L. (Shoop) Francis to whom he was married for 44 years.

Born in McAlester, OK he was a son of the late Robert G. and Mary O. (Logan) Francis. Larry graduated from Lebanon Valley College with his Master’s in Business Administration, and he completed his Bachelor of Science in Business at Saint Vincent College.

Larry served as a Marine and retired from the US Army as a Lieutenant Colonel. He was a member of St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church, Annville, Pennsylvania where he served as a lector. Larry was also a member of the Knights of Columbus in Annville as well as in Lebanon.

Larry was an avid hunter who enjoyed his free time tracking deer and preparing for each season. His interests included the Oklahoma Sooners football team and the Dallas Cowboys. He was also a voracious reader and ardent music listener, especially the Beatles. What brought Larry (Poppy) the most joy was being a grandfather. Poppy was a regular at all of his grandchildren’s competitions and events.

Surviving in addition to his wife Teresa, are children Joseph Robert “JR” Francis and wife Erica, and Mary Margaret, wife of Robert Wildasin; five grandchildren Grace Catherine Francis, Logan John Francis, Sadie Lynn Wildasin, Claire Elise Francis, and Alex Joseph Wildasin.

Larry was preceded in death by a grandson, Robert Francis Wildasin.

Visitations will be held Tuesday, June 21, 2022, in the evening from 6-8 pm at the Kreamer Funeral Home & Crematory, Inc., 618 E. Main St., Annville, and again on Wednesday, June 22, 2022, from 9 AM until the time of his funeral mass at St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church, 125 S. Spruce St., Annville. Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 10:30 AM on Wednesday with Rev. Kevin Coyle as Celebrant. Interment with military honors will be held at Indiantown Gap National Cemetery at 12:30 PM.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church, 125 S. Spruce St. Annville, PA 17003, Cleona Parks and Recreation Board, 140 W. Walnut St., Cleona, PA 17042, or the Annville Free Library, 216 E. Main St., Annville, PA 17003 in his memory.