Francis

Mark William Francis, 67, of Chicora, passed away unexpectedly of natural causes Thursday afternoon, July 23, 2026, at his home.

Mark was born in Butler on Aug. 3, 1958. He was the son of the late Lawrence “Bud” and Carol Rodgers Francis.

He was a 1977 graduate of Karns City Area High School and a U.S. Army veteran. Mark had been employed as a mail handler by the U.S. Postal Bulk Mail Center in Warrendale. He enjoyed riding his Harley, the company of his Jack Russell terriers and most especially, the company of his grandkids, to whom he was affectionately “Paw Paw.”

He is survived by his wife, Chantel M. Rodgers Francis, whom he married in Chicora on Dec. 31, 1991; five children, Mark W. Francis and his wife, Danielle, of Butler, Allene Francis, of Hudson, Ohio, Billie Jean Dawson, of Tulsa, Okla., Tashawa L. Francis, of Chicora, and Elizabeth D. Francis and her fiancé, Callum Batty, of Morgantown, W.Va.; his grandchildren, Cameron and Riley Francis, Stacey Dawson, Lylah and Zelda Bowser and Anthony Naples.

Also surviving are a sister, Cindy Ferris; and a brother, Jeffrey L. “Larry” Francis and his wife, Tyra, all of Chicora; stepsisters, Heather Dunham and Lisa Francis Clark; as well as a number of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his stepmother, Sue Francis.

FRANCIS — Private funeral arrangements for Mark William Francis, who died Thursday, July 23, 2026, are under the direction of HILE FUNERAL HOME OF CHICORA, 339 Chicora Fenelton Road, Chicora.

Memorial donations to help defray funeral expenses and condolences may be made by visiting www.hilefh.com and clicking the donations tab.

Please sign the guest book at www.butlereagle.com.