Edward C. Francis

1941 - 2022

Edward C. Francis, a resident of Kirkwood, Missouri for 43 years and Quincy, Illinois, died on Friday, December 30, 2022, after a short illness. Ed was born and raised in Quincy, Illinois where he maintained a home and was a member of the Congregational Church. Ed was the son of Charles E. and Florence R. Francis, who owned and operated Francis Chevrolet. He received his undergraduate degree at Washington University in St. Louis in business and went on to receive his Masters in Business at the University of California-Los Angeles. Ed served his country in the Armed Forces-United States Army. Ed was a 50+ year member of Gateway Masonic Lodge #40, A.F. & A.M. Creve Coeur, MO. Ed is survived by his wife Suzanne J. [McGovern], his children Tracy A. Burns [Nathan] and Heather S. Heidelbaugh, Esq. [Emmenegger, Greg] and his three beloved grandchildren: Sophia Mirabella Burns, Blake O. Nourie, M.D. & Olivia S. Krolczyk R.N. [Stephen]. Ed's working career was centered in commercial real estate and appraisal but his real life's work was his devotion to his family. He believed in Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior and devoted his life to caring for his wife. Several years ago, when his wife lost most of her sight, Ed was her caregiver and loyally took care of her. Ed was especially interested in ensuring that his grandchildren lived good lives and was so proud of their accomplishments including Sophia's incredible scholastic ability and piano and dance talent, Blake's orthopaedic surgery residency and Olivia's devotion as a BSN nurse to children with diabetes. Ed created a wonderful life for his wife of 46 years and supported her in their mutual engagement in Bible Study, the Kirkwood Historical Society, and Kirkwood Republicans. Throughout Ed's life he had an incredible memory known as Superior Autobiographical Memory in which he could recall the details of events which occurred decades earlier with complete precision. He was the human equivalent of Google; well before the search engine was invented [1999] and retained most of that ability until the end. He was a regular at The Daily Bread and to all of his buddies there, thank you for the years of friendship and camaraderie. Ed was loved and will be missed and never forgotten by his family.Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be sent in his memory to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF), 200 Vessey Street, 28th Floor, New York, NY 10281. www.boppchapel.com