Ken France

Kenneth W. France, 83, of rural Galion died Friday, November 16, 2018 in Galion Community Hospital following a stroke and recent health issues.



He was born October 4, 1935 in Harlan, Kentucky to the late William and Hazel (Grills) France. At age 18, Ken moved to Dayton where he was introduced to Doris M. Stricklett by her co-worker. They were married March 12, 1956 and then moved to Bucyrus in 1957. They later built their country home where Ken enjoyed gardening and watching the deer use the feeder he had in his back yard. He was a member of UAW Local 549 and retired from General Motors where he worked in welder maintenance.



Ken was a great family man, an avid outdoorsman and proud member of the UK Wildcats Big Blue Nation. He enjoyed hunting and especially loved to fish. He and Doris did a lot of camping, spending summers near Lake Erie and visiting all 48 of the continental states. He loved the company of his Brittany Spaniel hunting companions, Ginger, Buddy, and Pappy and was a self-taught computer user, creating many photo videos for friends and family. He enjoyed every family gathering, especially Christmas where he was usually more excited than the youngsters.



Ken is survived by his wife of 62 years, Doris France; children, Laveda Echelberry (Brownie Miller), Robert (Laura) France, and Roger (Candy) France; grandchildren, Kelly Echelberry (Teal Grodi), Matthew Echelberry, Ashley (Andrew) Bishop, Jessica Shell, and Mason (Michelle) France; great grandchildren, Landon, Aiden, Aubrey, and Alyson; siblings, Peggy (Don) Hodge, David France, Diane (Chad) Mullins, and Danny (Annette) France; and many nieces and nephews.



In addition to his parents, Ken was preceded in death by siblings, Jack France, Nell Smith, and Willie Bob France and grandson, Kraine Shell.



The France family will receive friends on Tuesday, November 20 from 5-8 pm at Wise Funeral Service, 129 W. Warren St., Bucyrus where his funeral will be held Wednesday at 11:00 am with his brother-in-law, Chad Mullins, officiating. Burial will follow in Oakwood Cemetery.



Memorial donations can be made payable to a charity of the donor's choice and given at the funeral home. Memories and photos can be shared on Ken’s tribute page at www.wisefuneral.com.