Obituaries

Francis E. Zehr, 70, of Ridgeway, Va., died at St. Elizabeth's Hospital, Utica, N.Y. due to complications from a heart attack.

He had traveled to visit family and friends and attended his 52nd high school class reunion in northern N.Y.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 47 years, Karen; three children and their spouses, Tonia Frances (Cary) Miller of Greensboro, N.C., Ryan Floyd (Melissa) Zehr of Ridgeway, Va., and Kyle Eugene (Jessica) Zehr of Greensboro, N.C.; seven grandchildren, Jaxon, Faeryn, Carson, Maycie, Ryter, Zayden, and Londyn; two brothers, Arthur S. Zehr of Flint, Michigan, and Carlton F. Zehr and his companion, Mary Young, of Carthage, N.Y.; several aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins. He was predeceased by an infant granddaughter, Ainsleigh Lauren Zehr.

Francis was born on February 17, 1952, in Lowville, N.Y., a son of the late Floyd and Laura Steria Zehr. He graduated from Beaver River Central School in 1970, Eastern Mennonite College in Harrisonburg, Va. in 1974, and received his master's in education from Virginia Tech in 1979. On July 5, 1975, he married Karen Rogers at Lanark Church of the Brethren in Lanark, Illinois. Francis taught high school/college social studies for Henry County Public Schools for 35 years, retiring in 2009. He served on the Henry County Board of Supervisors for 16 years and the Henry County School Board for 11 years. He was a member of the Board of Directors for the Ridgeway District Volunteer Rescue Squad for many years, the Virginia School Boards Association, and the Ridgeway Ruritan Club.

He was a member of the Croghan Mennonite Church in Croghan, N.Y. and attended Fontaine Baptist Church in Ridgeway, Va. Francis enjoyed people and serving his community, hunting, watching sports especially his favorite baseball team the NY Yankees, and riding his tractor. Most of all, he loved spending time with his family and playing with his grandchildren.

A public celebration of life will be held on Saturday, August 20, 2022, at Magna Vista High School auditorium at 2 p.m. The family will receive friends immediately after the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Ridgeway District Volunteer Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 611, Ridgeway, VA 24148, or the Ridgeway District Volunteer Fire Department, P.O. Box 4, Ridgeway, VA 24148.

Arrangements were made by Iseneker Funeral Home, Inc, Lowville, N.Y. and family.