Doris M. France

Doris M. France died on her 90th birthday Thursday, March 5, 2026 at Avita Ontario Hospital after three weeks of declining health.

She was born in Monroe Twp. near Manchester, Ohio to the late Bertha Lee (Dryden) Stricklett and Paul Wesley Stricklett. Doris and her siblings were raised on a small family farm where she learned the values of hard work and love of family. After graduating from Manchester High School, Doris found work in Dayton with McCall’s sewing catalog. A co-worker introduced her to a young man from Harlan, Kentucky named Ken France. They were married on March 12, 1956, and then moved to Bucyrus in 1957 after Ken got work with General Motors. They later built their country home where she and Ken enjoyed gardening and Doris canned, cooked, and kept the place tidy. Ken preceded her in death November 16, 2018 and she missed him terribly.

Until recent weeks, Doris was healthy and active. She will be remembered for her excellent cooking with memorable desserts like banana pudding and chocolate pie among the family’s favorites. She and Ken loved to dine out, travel, camp, and fish. They visited all the lower 48 states and had a place on Lake Erie. When not cleaning or cooking, Doris loved watching sports and reality shows on television, especially college basketball and the UK Wildcats. Doris also bowled in her younger years and visits from her grandchildren and great grandchildren were special.

Doris is survived by children, Laveda Echelberry (Brownie Miller), Robert (Laura) France, and Roger France; grandchildren, Kelly Echelberry (Teal Grodi), Matthew Echelberry, Ashley (Andrew) Bishop, Jessica France (Dave Neef), and Mason (Michelle) France; great grandchildren, Landon, Aiden, Aubrey, Alyson, Oaklee, Kenna, and Ellie; brother, Donnie Stricklett; nephew, Jeff (Lynn) Stricklett; niece, Teresa (Brian) Grooms; and extended family.

In addition to her parents and her husband of 62 years, Doris was preceded in death by brother, Marlyn Stricklett; sister, Helen Stricklett; sister-in-law, Faye Stricklett; and daughter-in-law, Candy France.

All services will be held on Tuesday, March 10 at Wise Funeral Service in Bucyrus. Family will receive friends from 11-11:55 am and the funeral will begin at 12 Noon with her grandson, Matt Echelberry, 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 the guestbook of Doris’s tribute page at www.wisefuneral.com.