Francis H. Sexton

Francis H. Sexton, 80, formerly of Mt. Hope and a resident of Wesbury since 1995, died there, Wednesday, December 3, 1997, following a period of declining health.

He was born in Penfield, Clearfield Co., PA, a son of the late Frank and Estella Mix Sexton.  He married Emily P. Wybiral April 13, 1936 and she preceded him in death November 20, 1997.

He was a 1934 graduate of Huston Township High School.  He worked for 34 years for American Viscose Co., retiring as an analytical chemist and their water and wastewater treatment supervisor and operator.  In 1969, he went to work for the PA Dept. of Education as an instructor for waste water treatment plant operators, starting the first class of its kind in the US.  He also worked for a period as a manager at Kebert Enterprises, Inc.

He was a member of Mt. Hope United Methodist Church for over 40 years and was a former Bible class teacher, Lay Leader and church school superintendent.  He also served as interim pastor of State Road Hill and Pine Grove United Methodist Churches for two years.  He served as a director of the Crawford County Fair Board for over 25 years and as treasurer for eight years.  He served as a director of the Crawford County Fair Board for over 25 years and as treasurer for eight years.  He was a founding member and past Master of Masonic Lodge #790 of Cochranton; member and past High Priest of Solomon Royal Arch Chapter #191, past Thrice Illustrious Master of Timothy Alden Council #60, member and past Commander of NW Commandery #25, Knights Templar, Knight of the York Cross of Honor and member of Penn Priory at York, PA, member of Zem Zem Shrine Temple, Erie, past president of Crawford County Shrine Club, member of Scottish Rite Bodies of Erie, and member of Quatour Coronati Lodge correspondence circle of England.  He helped organize the Order of DeMolay in 1965 and served as chairman and member of its advisory council.  He was also a member of Meadville Elks Lodge #219.

He also helped from the Red Cross Blood Bank in Meadville in the 1950's, was past President of the Randolph-East Mead PTA that organized that schools first cafeteria, former member and past member of Mt. Hope Grange and was a member and past President of the Meadville Rotary Club.

Survivors include a son, F. Leroy Sexton (Shirley) of Myrtle Beach, SC; a daughter, Mrs. Robert (Sally) Bickerstaff of Brookville; three sisters, Mae Assalone of Penfield, Helena Woodring of Lakeside, AZ and Ruby Ogden of Tucson, AZ; a brother, Howard Sexton of Sagle, ID; five grandchildren, Lori Chesnoski, Brenda Teed and Jana, Gary, and Rene Bickerstaff and four great-grandchildren.

Services were held at Waid Funeral Home.

Interment was in Mt. Hope Cemetery.