FRANCIS, Alta Bever - Fountain County INGenWeb Project

Mrs. Alta Bever Francis, age 82, of 209 Fifth St., was found dead in bed at her home early this morning, June 2. Death was attributed to natural causes by Fountain County Coroner Robert B. Shelby, who was called. Mrs. John Hoagland, 915 Harrison St., who called Mrs. Francis early every morning, called her home at 6 a.m. and when Mrs. Francis did not answer, sent her husband to check on her. When Mrs. Francis didn't respond to Mr. Hoagland, he returned to his home and he and Mrs. Hoagland went after the minister. They went to the Francis home and Chief of Police Max Keller was called. When they entered the Francis home, they found her dead in bed. Death was thought to have occurred several hours earlier. Mrs. Hoagland had spent most of Tuesday with Mrs. Francis as she was feeling badly that day. However, when Mrs. Hoagland went home Tuesday evening, Mrs. Francis said she was feeling much better and didn't want anyone to stay over night with her. She was born Sept. 19, 1882, near Hillsboro, in Fountain County, the daughter of Robert M. and Nancy Jane Kellogg Bever. She was a dressmaker by trade and had been employed in earlier years in Attica. She was married to Ed Francis, who preceded her in death Jan. 29, 1951. She is survived by: a foster daughter, Mrs. Betty Snoddy Hembrey of Danville, Ill.; two sisters, Mrs. Lena Boord of Omaha, Neb., and Mrs. Hazel Smith, Williamsport; one brother Truman Bever of Buchanan, Mich., and several nieces and nephews. The body is at the Hegg Funeral Home in Covington where funeral arrangements are pending.  --typed by Walt W