Clarence F. "Bevo" Francis

HIGHLANDTOWN - Clarence F. "Bevo" Francis, 82, of Highlandtown, passed away Wednesday, June 3, 2015, at home.

He was born September 4, 1932, in Hammondsville, the son of the late Clarence and Anna (Householder) Francis.

Bevo graduated from Wellsville High School in 1953 and was a Rio Grande College Alumnus. He was employed as a shipper for the former Crucible Steel Mill and was a charter member of the Highlandtown Volunteer Fire Department. Bevo was inducted into the Wellsville Athletic Association Hall of Fame, the Lou Holtz Upper Ohio Valley Hall of Fame, the Ohio Hoops Hall of Fame, the Rio Grande Athletic Hall of Fame, the NAIA Hall of Fame, and the Ohio High School Coaches Hall of Fame. He was also a member of the Wellsville Sons of Italy Lodge 657, was honored as a Wellsville Legend, and he is listed in the Guinness Book of World Records for highest scoring in a basketball game. Bevo attended Highlandtown Methodist Church.

Survivors include his wife, Jean (Chrislip) Francis, whom he married August 18, 1951; one daughter: Marge Grimm of Wellsville; one son: Frank Francis and his wife, Gwen, of Highlandtown; one sister: Norma Williams of Newell, WV; and one sister-in-law: Thelma Francis of East Liverpool. Also surviving are three grandchildren: Scott Francis, Sarah Francis, and Jarrod Grimm and his wife, Rachael; and several nieces and nephews.

The funeral service will be held at 11:00 am Saturday, June 6, 2015, at the Roberts Funeral Home with Pastor Kenneth Maylone of the church officiating.

Friends may call from 4:00-8:00 pm Friday at the Roberts Funeral Home, 631 Main Street in Wellsville.

In lieu of flowers the family requests that memorial donations be made in Bevo's name to the Wellsville Alumni Scholarship Committee, PO Box 629, Wellsville, OH 43968.