Francis Green

Francis “Brownie” Green, 85, Greenleaf, died on March 1, 2008 at the Washington County Hospital. The funeral service was held, 2:00 Wednesday, March 5 at the Ward Funeral Home, Greenleaf. Pastor John Frey officiated. Sheila Ouellette was the organist and Jim Mueller sang “How Great Thou Art” and “Beyond the Sunet”. Burial was in Mound Cemetery, Barnes. Casket bearers were Lloyd Stelljes, John Kupcho, Kenneth Bowen, Dennis Wallace, Ryan New and Michael LeDuc. Military honors were by the Fort Riley Honor Guard. Brownie was born October 23, 1922 in Centralia, Kansas. Brownie was raised by his mother and stepfather, Faye and Myrl “Doc” Barker. He was united in marriage to Leora “Babe” Wallace on September 1, 1944 in Atchison, Kansas. Brownie served in the Army Air Force, during WWII, from October 1942 until being honorably discharged in October 1948. During his service, his plane was shot down on July 14, 1943. He escaped enemy forces through the underground and was returned to the United States. After the military, Brownie returned to Greenleaf and worked for his parents in the Barker Produce. At about 1958 Brownie worked construction for several years, then returning to Greenleaf to manage the Greenleaf Lumber Yard with his wife Babe. Brownie opened The Elite Cafe in 1994 and retired from the restaurant in 2000. Following retirement, Brownie and Babe enjoyed traveling and sight seeing. He also enjoyed gardening, flowers and was particularly proud of his collection of antique miniature cars. He was preceeded in death by his parents; and a sister and brother-in-law, Betty and Bill Neu. Survivors include his wife of 63 years, Babe; a sister-in-law, Lois Wallace; and several nieces, nephews and cousins. A memorial fund has been established and will be designated by the family at a later date. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Francis Green, please visit our flower store.