- Date Of Birth: December 17, 1962
- Date Of Death: April 11, 2020
- State: Michigan
Reid Arthur Francis, age 57, of Cassopolis, was called home peacefully Saturday, April 11, 2020, in the comfort of his family’s presence.
He was born December 17, 1962, in Naperville, Illinois, the younger of two children of Ronald and Marsha Francis. He married Janet Lee Mesko on May 9, 1987, in Niles, Michigan.
Reid grew up on Diamond Lake and at the Diamond Lake Yacht Club, where he met many of his life-long friends and also gained an affinity for the water. One of Reid’s greatest talents was sailing and sailboat racing. This was a skill passed down from his father and grandfather, and Reid embraced it with a passion. He was known for being able to make boats go fast and competed in many Regattas near and far. It didn’t matter what kind of boat, or its age; Reid became a part of it and could figure out its idiosyncrasies to make it work at its best.
Reid was a graduate of Cassopolis Ross Beatty Jr./Sr. High School, Michigan State University, and Davenport University. After living away from Cassopolis for more than ten years, he and Janet moved back to the area and once again became passionate Rangers. They were involved in all their children’s sports, groups, and activities. He was lovingly known by children and many others as the Ranger Taxi Dad.
He tried out a variety of careers but ultimately found that self-employment gave him the flexibility to fulfill his most treasured roles as an adoring husband and all-involved father. He encouraged and maintained their Mary Kay business from the office. He managed his own rental properties, along with many others, and was a jack-of-all-trades handyman to the community and beyond.
His relationship with Jesus Christ and living out the truth was very important to him and he was grateful for his church family at Dailey Church.
Reid was Mr. All Around and will be most remembered for his ability to make you feel like you belonged. He was constantly helping people in need and taking care of others. He was the father and uncle almost always found entertaining all the kids at events or playing some sport or activity with them.
Reid will be greatly missed by family and friends. He is survived by his wife of almost thirty-three years, Janet Francis of Cassopolis; one daughter, Brittany Francis of Colorado Springs; three sons, Austin Francis of Kalamazoo, Gavin (Paige) Francis of Cassopolis and Lane Francis of Cassopolis; three bonus international children, Petra (Bernhard) Stegner of Austria, Takuma Hamano of Japan, Bach Gao Tianyu of China; and one bonus international granddaughter, Malena Stegner; his parents, Ronald and Marsha Francis of Cassopolis; and one sister, Shari Soncrant of Columbus, Indiana; his in-laws, Robert and Helen Mesko of Niles; a host of nieces and nephews for whom Uncle Reid was a big deal; and many more kids who called Reid and Janet “Dad” and “Mom.”
