Francis A. Rans, 87, of Fort Wayne, formerly of Bremen, passed away at 11 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2017 in Visiting Nurse & Hospice Home of Fort Wayne.

Francis was born on April 13, 1930 in Knox to the late John and Nellie (Miller) Rans. On April 21, 1956, he married Kay Svidensky. She passed away on Oct. 9, 2015.

He is survived by four children, Cathy (Jim) Michels of Mishawaka, Steve (Kim) Rans of Plymouth, Sam (Bonnie) Rans of Columbia City, and Andy (Michelle) Rans of Van Buren; 16 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren. He is also survived by two sisters, Myrtle Ashcraft of Texas and Marcella Young of Dyer. He is preceded in death by his parents, wife, daughter, Wanda and son-in-law, Lucio Galvin and seven siblings.

Francis proudly served his country in the U.S. Navy aboard the U.S.S. Iowa. He was honorably discharged in 1956. He worked at a butcher for A & P Grocery Stores for over 30 years. He enjoyed to fish and spend time with family.

Visitation will be held from noon-2 p.m., Friday, Dec. 8 in Mishler Funeral Home, 2030 St. Rd. 331, Bremen. Funeral services will begin at 2 p.m. in the funeral home and burial will follow in Bremen Cemetery with full military honors.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials to the American Cancer Society or American Heart Association.