Francis Leroy Couch

Francis L. Couch died peacefully on Monday, October 31, 2005, at the age of eighty-six years, at Stormont-Vail Hospital in Topeka, Kansas, with his family and friends at his bedside, Cathi Page and Jerome Barnard. He was born September 15, 1919, at Osage City, Kansas, the son of Oliver and Mildred (Vedel) Couch. He lived in Franklin County many years, moving from Williamsburg to Ottawa in 1948. He lived at 1815 Princeton the last forty-nine years. He attended Osage City schools. At the age of thirteen, he moved to Williamsburg, Kansas. From then until he went to the Army, he was associated with his father in coal mining near Williamsburg. He had attended a school at Burlingame to become a mine inspector. Francis joined the United States Army April 4, 1942, at Ottawa, Kansas. He served with the 159th Infantry. Francis served overseas thirty-four months. He was in the Aleutian Islands at Dutch Harbor. He also served in the European Theater of Operations in France, Belgium, and Germany. He was awarded two Battle Stars and received the Good Conduct Medal. He performed regular duties of a combat soldier as Assistant Squad Leader. He guarded prisoners, participated in the building of military stations, and carried messages from various command posts to Headquarters. He was honorably discharged from the Army November 9, 1945, at Leavenworth, Kansas. After his discharge, he was again engaged in coal mining in the Williamsburg area. Following his mining days, Francis was an independent truck driver thirty years, retiring in 1978. He was co-owner of Couch & Heckman Trucking of Ottawa. He hauled rock and agricultural products through Fogle Quarry. Francis was a devoted husband and father. His greatest enjoyment came from his family. He also appreciated, and enjoyed visiting with, his many friends. He liked to watch the history channel on T.V., go fishing, and spend time with his pet dog, 'Fergie'. A talented man who was always busy, Francis spent many hours tinkering in his garage and made many machines. On December 16, 1948, Francis married Marjorie Anne Hodges at her home near Homewood, Kansas. They shared fifty-six years of marriage and have two children, a daughter, Lea Ann Horton of Topeka, Kansas, and son, Steven V. Couch and his wife, Karen, of Olathe, Kansas. Two brothers, Bob Couch and his wife, Betty, of Topeka, and Richard Couch and his wife, Nellie, of Eudora, also survive him. He is preceded in death by his parents; sister, Mildred Farney; and brother, Clifford Couch. GRAVESIDE SERVICES: Roselawn Memorial Gardens Ottawa, Kansas November 4, 2005 Friday, 2:00 P.M. OFFICIANT:George Archer INTERMENT Roselawn Memorial Gardens Ottawa, Kansas MEMORIALS Bea Martin Peck Animal Shelter c/o Dengel & Son Mortuary 235 S. Hickory St. Ottawa, KS 66067