- Date Of Death: July 14, 2017
- State: Michigan
Francis “Hant” Cannon, age 91, of Gladstone, passed away Friday evening, July 14, 2017, at Bishop Noa Home in Escanaba.
Francis was born the sixth child of seven children on June 6, 1926, in Gladstone, the son of Edward and Myrtle (Hannigan) Cannon. He was raised in Gladstone and was a 1944 graduate of Gladstone High School.
Shortly after graduation, Francis enlisted in the United States Navy where he served in the South Pacific during WWII. While in service, Francis received medals of commendation which included the Victory Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Area Campaign Medal and the American Area Campaign Medal.
Upon his honorable discharge, Francis returned to Gladstone. On April 3, 1948, he was united in marriage to the former Carmel Caron and together the couple made their home, raised their family and spent their entire life together in Gladstone. Carmel preceded Francis in death on September 26, 2016.
Francis was employed at the Soo Line Railroad for 37 years. While at the Soo Line, he worked his way up from locomotive fireman to engineer. He was the last engineer to work on the last train out of Gladstone before the Soo Line became Wisconsin Central. Francis retired on December 1, 1987, at the age of 62, and was proud to say that he enjoyed his work and the people he worked with.
Francis was a member of All Saints Catholic Church in Gladstone and was involved in several capacities of the church. He served as a CCD teacher, was a member of the Executive Board of All Saints, as well as, the Ministry of Praise. Additionally, he belonged to the Knights of Columbus Brother Felix Council in Gladstone. He was a lifetime member of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers, member of the Gladstone Golf Course, and in recent years was a board member of the Gladstone Athletic Hall of Fame.
As a charter member of the Gladstone-Rapid River Kiwanis, Francis was instrumental in initiating the popular Firecracker 5 mile race on the 4th of July. He was chairperson of the event for over 20 years. He was especially proud of the contributions that the Kiwanis made in Gladstone.
Survivors include:
Son: David (Diane) Cannon of Escanaba, MI
Daughters: Caren (Brian) Nicholas of Gladstone, MI
Colleen (Gene) Olsen of Manitowoc, WI
Carol (Mark) Beveridge of New Berlin, WI
Brother: Richard (Linda) Cannon of Spokane, WA
Grandchildren: Tom (Susan) Cannon, Shawn (Krista) Cannon,
Matt Nicholas, Carrie (Brandon) Gerlikowski
Andy (Lynn) Nicholas, Erin (Brian) Salbilla
Brita (Fred Ludwig) Olsen, Amanda Beveridge,
Alyssa Beveridge, Corey Day and Casey (Neal) Raburn Special Cousins: Ruth Cannon and Maureen Cannon Also surviving are 9 great grandchildren and 2 on the way and several nieces, nephews and friends.
In addition to his parents, Edward and Myrtle and his loving wife Carmel, Francis was preceded in death by:
Infant Brothers: John and Thomas Cannon
Brothers: Kenneth (Thelma) Cannon and James (Dora) Cannon
Sister: Shirley (Louis) LeClaire
