FRANCIS, Frank H. (1905-1958)

FRANCIS, HANSEN, INVIK, BUNDAY, HANSEN, CRAPSER, OLTHOFF, GRAM, MABEN, BUCHANAN

Posted By: Hancock Co Genealogical Society (email)
Date: 11/12/2016 at 20:46:08

Engine Failure Blamed for Britt Plane Crash
Painter, 2 Kin Victims
Craft Hits in Alfalfa Field

Britt - Three persons were killed Sunday afternoon when the light plane in which they were riding crashed in a puff of smoke in an alfalfa field near an airstrip here.

One of the victims was identified as Frank Francis, 53, Britt paint contractor and owner of the craft.

The other victims were Eugene Hansen, 24, Estherville, and Hansen's daughter Becky, 45. Hansen was Frances' step grandson, Becky his step great granddaughter.

Hancock County Coroner Kenneth Boughton said the bodies were burned beyond recognition.

The accident happened about 3 o'clock.

The plane crashed on the Harold Weiland farm, across the road from the airstrip which is located on the George Barker farm.

Richard Barker, 15, son of the airstrip owner, was outdoors at the time and said he heard the plane engine sputtering.

He said Francis apparently tried to head the plane back to the airport but that it crashed in a puff of smoke in the alfalfa field.

The Rev. Justin Kane, Britt, was at a nearby cemetery, also heard the plane's engine miss. He said he saw the craft make a low pass overhead and then disappeared behind a hill.

Only the frame and motor of the plane, a Piper Cub, remained after the fire.

Shortly before he took off on the flight, he reportedly had taken other relatives up for a ride.

The Britt fire department was called and a truck dispatched, driven by Darrell Francis, son of the victim.

The bodies of the victims were taken to the Boughton Funeral Home here.

Francis was a native of Belmond.

Funeral services for Francis will be Thursday at 1:30 p.m. at the Methodist Church in Britt, preceded by a prayer service for the immediate family at Boughton Funeral Home. The Rev. Warren Paige will officiate. Burial will be in the Evergreen Cemetery here.

Born Nov. 5, 1905, in Logan, Kan., he was married to Vernal Invik, who died in 1929. He was married April 25, 1933, to Mrs. Emma Bunday, Sioux Falls, S. D. They came to Britt in 1935.

Survivors are his wife, Emma, two sons, Duane and Darrell, Britt; and step children, Mrs. Henry (Ethel) Hansen, and Mrs. Russell (Geraldine) Crapser, both of Estherville; Mrs. Raymond (Betty) Olthoff, Mason City, and Ralph Bunday; 23 grandchildren; his father, Fred Francis, Britt; two brothers, Fred Jr., Owatonna, Minn.; Donald, Peoria, Ill.; three sisters, Mrs. Bert (Edna) Gram, Rowen; Mrs. Merle (Florence) Maben, Pine City, Minn., and Mrs. Russell (Hazel) Buchanan, Bartonville, Ill.

Services for Hansen and his daughter will be Wednesday at Estherville. The bodies were taken to the Sternborg Funeral Home there.

source: Mason City Globe Gazette, 3 Nov 1958, page 1, column 8