Francis M. Kennard

Francis M. Kennard, 92, of Elkhart, Indiana died Friday, July 1st, 2022 at his home.

He was born on July 28,1929 in Chester, Pennsylvania, to the late Francis M. Kennard Sr. and Elsie Benjamin Kennard.

Francis grew up in Rising Sun, Maryland and graduated from West Nottingham Academy, Colora, Maryland in 1947 where he was also named All-around Athlete of the year. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Duke University in 1951, played on the Duke Baseball Team and was a member and officer of the Kappa Sigma Fraternity.

He was proceeded in death by his wife Marie and only brother Robert Kennard.  He is survived three sons, David (Fiona) of Silverthorne, Colorado, Wayne (Mary) of Ankeny, Iowa, Daniel (Leslie) of Grand Rapids, Michigan, and four grandchildren Max, Jacob, Lexington and Lily.

Francis served in the Army from 1951 to 1953 and was a combat veteran of the Korean War leading a Howitzer Platoon for the 24th Field Artillery Division. He had been a member of both the American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

Francis married the love of his life Marie McClure on February 13, 1954 in Valley Stream, Long Island.  Marie died April 4, 2022.

Francis was an officer and director of Schult Homes Corp. of Middlebury, Indiana when he retired in1999.  He had joined Schult Homes 1960 in Elkton, Maryland and served as the General Manager before moving to Elkhart and becoming Vice President of Marketing in 1968.  Francis was exceptionally proud of his near 40 years of service with Schult and the truly life-long friends he gained that he often spoke of as family. They were a greatly valued part of his life and supported him until his final hours. He enjoyed being member of the Elcona Country Club in Elkhart, Indiana for the past 50 years during which he had served terms as a board member.  Francis was also a member of The Club Pelican Bay in Naples, Florida.

Francis was a devoted and beloved husband, father and grandfather. 

Having grown up in a farming community coming out of the depression, he was typically calm, humble and thoughtful, having the ability to connect with people of all walks and backgrounds. He was easy-going yet took life seriously and through pragmatic hard work and planning Francis strived to help family and business colleagues live richer and more fulfilling lives. 

Though his final year contained multiple health challenges, but this did not diminish his interest in monitoring sports and box scores and keeping up with friends and family.  His wry sense of humor and wit will be missed.

There will be no visitation or funeral service at this time.  Hartzler-Gutermuth-Inman Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

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