Francis M. Farris

Francis M. Farris
Francis M. Farris, 91, of Bethlehem, died Monday, December 12, 2011, in Lehigh Valley Hospital-Muhlenberg. He was the husband of Helen C. (Oravec) Farris. They celebrated their 65th anniversary in October. Born in Bethlehem, he was a son of the late Andrew and Mary (Kokosha) Farris. A 1942 graduate of Penn State University, he was a seven time letter winner in baseball and basketball. During World War II he proudly served his country as a Captain in the 505th Very Heavy Bombardment Group 313th Wing 20th Air Force North Field Tinian. He was the Manager of Household Finance in Allentown for 30 years before retiring. He then worked an additional five years as Vice President of Installment Loans at First Valley Bank. Francis was a member of St. Annes Catholic Church, Bethlehem, and also belonged to the Allentown Lions Club for many years. Survivors: Surviving with his wife are a son, Francis, Jr., and his wife Lynn of Nazareth; a daughter, Nancy Farris Tucker, and her husband William Tucker of Ringoes, NJ; and four grandchildren, John and Michael Farris, Leslie and Christian Tucker. Services: A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Friday, December 16, in St. Annes Church, Easton and Washington Avenues, Bethlehem. Family and friends may call in the church from 10 - 11 a.m. Friday. Entombment with military honors will be held in Holy Saviour Cemetery Mausoleum. Arrangements, Pearson Funeral Home, Bethlehem. Contributions: In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to the Carmelite Nuns of Allentown, 3551 Lanark Road, Coopersburg, PA 18036.