Francis Whitton Stewart

Francis Whitton Stewart, 79, passed away on Wednesday, May 20, 2020, at his home in Schell City, Mo. Francis was born Jan. 5, 1941, in Wheaton, Mo., to Lonnie and Bonnie (Thompson) Stewart. He married Esther Ruth Brashears on Nov. 3, 1963, in Neosho, Mo., and she preceded him in death on March 2, 2005.

Francis was raised in Wheaton. At the age of 18 he left home and moved to Neosho where he worked for Neosho Floral and Greenhouse for several years. After his marriage to Esther they moved to the Kansas City area and he began working for Allis-Chalmers Combine in Independence where he worked for 37 years until his retirement. Following his retirement, they moved to Schell City (Indian Springs) to reside full time. Francis was a member of the United Steelworkers Union. He loved fishing, playing Bingo, and going to the Casino.

He is survived by two children, a son, Lester Stewart (Jim Stowell), East China, Mich., and a daughter, Gaynell Williams (Michael), Schell City, Mo.; 10 grandchildren, Marie Thomason (Michael), Branson, Mo., Dawn Lynch (Matthew), Grain Valley, Mo., Mandy Crocker (Gavin), Schell City, Mo., Ryan Stewart (Katie), Liberal, Mo., Michael Stewart, East China, Mich., Tucker Unruh (Tiffany), Lamar, Mo., Hunter Hudson (Evin), Crane, Mo., Cody Stewart, Liberal Mo., Dalton Unruh (Emilia), El Dorado Springs, Mo., and Ty Williams (Kelsey), Neosho, Mo.; and 18 great-grandchildren. In addition to his wife, Esther, he was preceded in death by his parents; a son, Ted; and a grandson, Christopher.

Private committal services will be held at 2 p.m., Wednesday, May 27, at Kenney Cemetery in Neosho.

View obituary and send condolences online at www.ferryfuneralhome.com.