Eleanor J. Francis

Eleanor Joan Francis, 87 of Gaylord, passed away Thursday, April 3, 2025, at Aspen Ridge Retirement Village.

Born in Vanderbilt on March 24, 1938, she was the daughter of Carl and Julia (Strzynski) Cherwinski. Eleanor was a lifelong area resident.

A longtime State of Michigan employee, Eleanor worked in food service at the former Alpine Center in Gaylord before its closing. Later she worked as a supervisor in the kitchen at the DNR Ralph A. MacMullan Conference Center in Roscommon, from where she retired.

In her spare time, Eleanor enjoyed spending time with her family, visiting casinos, and polka dancing.

On September 30, 1986, she married Leo Walter Francis in Las Vegas. He preceded her in death on November 2, 2023.

Surviving are her sons, Keith Sides, Doug (Karen) Sides, and John (Janet Sides); step children, Douglas (Colleen) Francis, Dennis (Tracy) Francis, Laura (Donald Sevenski) Francis, and Sharon Lucas; three grandchildren; one great grandchild; ten step grandchildren; and ten step great grandchildren; a sister, Carol (Joe) Dahuski; brothers, Mike (Carolyn) Cherwinski, Richard (Bev) Cherwinski, and Andy (Wanda) Cherwinski; and many nieces and nephews.

She was also preceded in death by her daughter-in-law, Suzanne “Sue” Sides; and a grandson, Benjamin Sides.

Graveside services will be held soon at Evergreen Hills Cemetery in Vanderbilt.

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