Rev. John Francis - 25th Anniversary of Ordination
Submitted by Marie Hosdil)
[Date of newspaper article unknown. Probably from Journal-Times] Rev. John Francis Honored
The Rev. John Francis, pastor of the Delavan Methodist church and former pastor of the Caldwell Methodist church was honored Sunday afternoon at an open house in observance of the 25th anniversary of his entrance into the ministry.
Born in West Allis, Feb. 10, 1919 he was the third child and first son of mr. and Mrs. John H. Francis. As early as the age of 12, when he was confirmed, he set his sights toward becoming a minister. Following graduation from Carroll College in Waukesha, during his junion year at Garrett he was appointed to his first charge -- a three charge circuit with headquarters in Caldwell. There he met Joyce Boelter, scholarship winner in high school, planning a career in teaching, who changed her plans and became Mrs. John Francis in 1942. Their son Paul, now a senior at Carroll college with plans to enter the ministry was born during their four years in Caldwell.
At the annual conference in 1943, Rev. Francis was assigned to the Peshtigo-Harmony pastorate in Marinette county. While serving in Peshtigo, Rev. Francis began two enterprises which are even now a part ofthe Francis' family way of life. In 1946, he first opened his food stand at the Wisconsin state fair, which he and his family, assisted by young people of the congregation still operate every year. He also started organizing bus caravans for the senior high school youth of his churches, so that they might see the Methodist church at work in missions, education and hospitals. Since 1946 teenagers from three charges have taken a total of nine bus trips traveling as far east as Washington DC and as far south as Key West, Fla. While in Peshtigo their second son, Donald R., a freshman at the University of Wisconsin, is interested in missionary work through the field of engineering, was born.
He served the Berlin-Poysippi area from 1949-'58. While there he was named one of the five outstanding young men in the state by the Wisconsin State Junior Chamber of Commerce in recognition of his multiple activities in Boy Scouting, youth and parent-teacher association endeavors. He has been active on several various boards and commissions in the conference in developing and promoting the two East Wis. Conference Church Camps, Asbury Acres and Camp Byron.
The Francis' third son, John, a freshman at Delavan-Darien high school, was born during this time.
In 1958, Rev. John, as he is fondly called by his parishioners, and his family again were moved by the conference, this time to Delavan where he remains active in camping activities, is a Boy Scout Troop leader, a member of the Rotary Club and interested and active in all phases of community life.
Members of the Delavan Methodist Youth Fellowship surprised Rev. John with a "This Is Your Life Program" at the open house. Master of ceremonies was Rev. Francis' son, Paul, and his other son, Don, portrayed his father as a college student and read his frist sermon as part of a skit presented by MYF members during "This Is Your Life." Rev. John and Mrs. Francis were presented with a MYF money tree and a wishing well. Mrs. Carrie Brown, with whom Rev. Francis made his first home was a "mystery guest" as a part of the skit.
Those attending the day's celebration from the Caldwell area were Mrs. Lois Bayley, Mr. adn Mrs. George Schroeder, Mr. Robert Johncox, Mrs. Carrie Brown, Mrs. Louis Boelter, Mrs. Ernest Vic, Miss Myrtle Vick, Mrs. Mandell Weir and Mr. and Mrs. Delbert Zoellick.
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