MARION -- Sidney Samuel Francis, 98, died at 3:10 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2011, in Carbondale Rehabilitation Center. He was the son of Joseph Sidney and Nettie Orene (Boyd) Francis and was born Saturday, Nov. 15, 1913, on the family farm near Broughton of Saline County. Sidney was united in marriage to Martha Eileen Moore on April 11, 1936, in Eldorado, and together they shared more than 75 years of marriage until her death Sept. 26, 2011. He answered the call of this nation by enlisting in the U.S. Army Air Force on Dec. 29, 1942, during the time of World War II, faithfully serving until the time of his honorable discharge Feb. 18, 1946, with the rank of corporal. The family moved to Marion in 1947, and he became a member of First Presbyterian Church of Marion. He also was a life member of VFW Heyde-Pillow Post No. 1301 of Marion, and when his children were young, he served as a Boy Scout Leader for 15 years. His working career was with the veteran's hospital for many years until his retirement Dec. 31, 1974. After retirement, he and Martha spent 25 winters in Florida where they enjoyed fishing and frying up their catch. They would always return to Marion after April 15. He will be missed by all who knew and loved him. He is survived by two sons and one daughter-in-law, Benny Joe Francis of Winter Park, Fla., and James Lee and Julie Francis of Herrin; several nieces and nephews; other extended family members; and many friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife; infant sister, Alma Francis; brother, Joseph Francis; and his daughter-in-law, Elaine Francis. Arrangements for Sidney Samuel Francis have been entrusted to Wilson-McReynolds Funeral Home at 900 N. Court St. in Marion. Services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 3, in Wilson-McReynolds Funeral Home with Pastor Tim Land officiating. After the service, military honors will be accorded at the funeral home by members of VFW Heyde-Pillow Post 1301, American Legion Post 147 and Illinois National Guard all of Marion. Interment will be next to his wife at 2 p.m. Saturday, in Douglass Cemetery near Broughton in Saline County. A time of visitation for family and friends will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 2, at the funeral home. For those who prefer, memorial contributions may be made to VNA TIP Hospice or American Cancer Society . Memorial contribution envelopes will be available at the funeral home or may be mailed in care of Wilson-McReynolds Funeral Home, P.O. Box 370, Marion, IL 62959. For additional information or to leave an online condolence or memory, visit www.wilsonmcreynolds.com. Published in The Southern Illinoisan on December 1, 2011