He was born April 14, 1912, in Newark,Ohio, to the Willard Thomas and Gertrude (Weber) Francis, and married helen Leanna Roth on Aug. 30, 1936, in Gibson City.W. Thomas Francis, 87, of Bloomington, Ill., formerly of Gibson City, Ill., died Sunday, Dec. 26, 1999, at St. Joseph Medical Center, Bloomington.

He was born April 14, 1912, in Newark, Ohio, to the late Willard Thomas and Gertrude (Weber) Francis, and married Helen Leanna Roth on Aug. 30, 1936, in Gibson City.

Mr. Francis grew up in Ohio and attended Bluffton College in Bluffton, Ohio, receiving a BA in business. He moved to Gibson City in January, 1936.

He was president and principal owner of Corn Belt Hatcheries of Illinois Inc. and Corn Belt Mills, both in Gibson City. He retired in 1978.

Mr. Francis was instrumental in organizing the student loan fund; helped organize the Gibson Community Chest; was chairman of the Moyer Library Building Committee and president and board member for many years, was a board member and past president of the Lincoln Trails Library Board, was a member for many years and past president of the Lions Club, a Gibson Community Hospital Board member for many years (vice president and president from 1970-'82), in 1988 was appointed emeritus director for life, and was chairman of the fund drive for the Gibson Community Hospital Annex.

Mr. Francis served many years in the Presbyterian Church where he was an elder for nine years, was a Sunday School teacher, superintendent of the Sunday School, was a Stephen minister, and past member of ministerial relations committee of the Bloomington Presbytery.

Survivors include his wife; a son, Willard Thomas Francis of West Bend; a daughter, Jan Noble of Bloomington; four granddaughters, Susan Noble, Christine Noble, Hilary Meese and Holly Francis; two great-granddaughters, Kaylee Janiece and Haley Ann, and other relatives and friends.

Preceding him in death were a sister and a niece.

Funeral services will be Wednesday, Dec. 29 at 11 a.m. at The First Presbyterian Church, Gibson City. Rev. Kathleen Reichmann will officiate, and private burial will be in Drummer Township Cemetery, Gibson City.

Visitation at the Lamb Funeral Home, 303 N. Church St., Gibson City, will be Tuesday from 6 to 8 p.m.