Francis Obit

RICHARD LELAND FRANCIS

1935–Feb. 19, 2019

Services for Richard Leland Francis will be held on June 22 at 11 a.m., at the Church on the Hill in Newcastle (301 Delaware St.), with a luncheon to follow.

Friends and family many sign his online guest book and leave written condolences for the family at blackhillsfuneralhome.com.

A much-loved Sandhills cowboy, Richard Leland Francis, passed away on Feb. 19, 2019, at Weston County Health Services, after a lengthy illness.

Born in 1935 in southcentral Nebraska, Richard grew up, attended school, and cowboyed near Broken Bow. He ranched in the panhandle of Nebraska near Hay Springs until he moved to his “dream ranch” on Dewey Road in rural Custer County, S.D. 

Family life was his most fervent love. He was preceded in death by his sister, Ardythe Gabler of Maryland.  

He leaves behind his wife, Susan; brother, Beryl Francis (Pat); sister, Jo Schallop (Allen). He will also be sorely missed by his children, RoZan Egan (Ron) of Rupert, Idaho, Richard Francis (Susan) of Gillette, Wyo., John Francis (Billie Jo) of Newcastle, Wyo., Patricia Cole (Jason) of Newcastle, and stepson, Nasif Iskander (Suzanne) of the San Francisco area; as well as his 13 grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces, nephews and good friends.

In lieu of flowers, the family would much appreciate contributions in his memory to the Elk Mountain School or the Highlands Volunteer Fire Department. These can be sent to Patricia Cole at 119 West Main, Newcastle, WY 82701.