Francis R. Mendenhall, age 80, entered into rest on Tuesday, February 1, 2022, at his residence in Concordia, Kansas. He was born on April 8, 1941, in Concordia, Kansas, to Francis M. and Dorothy (Yoder) Mendenhall.
Francis was united in marriage to Patricia E. Burnette, January 18, 1962, in Concordia, Kan. She preceded him in death on November 4, 1996. To this marriage six children were born: William, Steven, Bryane, Thomas, Erick and Debra.
He later married Loretta Fisher on August 18, 1998, in Concordia, Kansas. She survives of the home in Concordia.
Francis worked as a fence builder for 27 years starting in 1992 and retiring in 2018. He also drove a semi-tractor trailer for Pic-Pac hauling brick from the Concordia Ceramics brick plant for 10 years.
Francis enjoyed working on cars and doing automotive repairs, welding, remodeling, construction, camping, going to the lake, and most of all spending time with family, especially his grandchildren.
Francis is survived by his wife, Loretta, Concordia; sons, William Mendenhall (Lora), Emporia, Kan., Steven Mendenhall, Salina, Kan., Bryane Mendenhall, McPherson, Kan., Erick Mendenhall (Debbie), Topeka, Kan.; a daughter, Debra Smith, Concordia, Kan.; stepchildren, Robert Hudson (Molly), Ohio, Jeff Freed (Amy) Concordia, Kan., John Freed (Paula), Lagrange, Ind., Terry Peterson, Beloit, Kan.; 21 grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren; two sisters, Lelah Kroulik, Wichita, Kan. & Charlotte Courtney (Earl), Lamar, Mo.; brother-in-law, Joe Lamar, Mo.
He was preceded in death by his parents; infant son, Thomas Mendenhall; brother, Clarence Mendenhall; six sisters, Dorothy Glisson, Almeda Clingman, JoAnn McCartney, Ella Maggard, Isabel Oliver & infant sister, Carolyn L. Mendenhall.
Visitation will be from 1:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 8, 2022, at the Chaput-Buoy Funeral Home, Concordia. Family will receive friends from 6:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, February 9, 2022, at Chaput-Buoy Funeral Home, Concordia, with Pastor Earl Hale officiating.
Burial will take place at a later time in the Pleasant Hill Cemetery, Concordia, Kansas. Memorial contributions may be given to Francis R. Mendenhall Memorial Fund, to be determined at a later time, c/o Chaput-Buoy Funeral Home. For online condolences, please visit www.chaputbuoy.com.
