Ronald L. Francisco

Ron was born on the kitchen table, in the depths of the Depression, on a hard-scrabble dairy farm in Cressy Corners, which in those years was a stop along the C K & S railroad, roughly half-way between Doster and Richland Junction. After turning 19, and leaving briefly to serve his country, he decided given the choice he'd just as soon not spend his life poking his head underneath the hinder end of cows so he left the farm for factory employment, first in a paper mill and later with Fisher Body. He lived the American dream, marrying young, siring a son and a daughter and providing his family with a secure Middle Class life style. He was a steady, ever loyal and always forgiving father. He discouraged his children from wearing blue jeans to school, reasoning jeans were all he had as a boy and wanting his own kids to have better. Later in life he married a second time and took his adult step-children into his heart. Although Ron died within a few miles of where he was born, he enjoyed travel and for many years lived the life of a snow-bird, wintering first in New Mexico and later Alabama. He was always ready for a trip north and for many, many years participated in the annual Mackinac Bridge walk. He will be remembered for his interest in others and his generous spirit. He won a greased pig at the Barry County Fair. As a recently married man with a growing family he really could have used the meat himself but ended up giving it away to another less fortunate family. While visiting Ron’s webpage at www.mccowensecord.com please sign the guestbook by lighting a candle, and/or sharing a memory with the family. The family is being assisted by the McCowen & Secord Funeral Home; Marshall & Gren Chapel, 120 S. Woodhams St. Plainwell, MI 49080 (269-685-5881).