Laveta Francis

LaVeta H. Francis, 93, passed away at Johnson Memorial Hospital in Franklin, Indiana on Saturday, June 2, 2012. LaVeta was born on May 13, 1919 in Humbaldt, Iowa the daughter of James E. and Laura (Hansen) Edge. She married Chester E. Francis on July 21, 1946 and he preceded her in death on January 23, 2002. LaVeta served her country in the United States Marine Corps during WWII. She was one of the first women on active duty with the United States Marine Corps women's reserve of WW II. She graduated from the first enlisted class at Hunter College in New York. She was commissioned 2nd Lieutenant at Camp Legeune, NC, January 10, 1944. She served nine years for the Vincennes Marine Corps League detachment #1007. LaVeta was a housewife and a member of First United Methodist Church. She was a member of Kappa Kappa Kappa, where she served eight years on the State level, lifetime member of Knox County Marine Corps League, Fortnightly Club, American Legion Post #73, Lifetime member of the Women Marine Association, Inaugurated Beta Association Chapter of Vincennes where she served as President for 13 years, OLGA golf Association and a lifetime member of the Military Museum. Survivors include her daughter Kitty Gajewski and her husband, Frank of Nineveh, IN, two grandchildren, Todd Gajewski of Washington D.C. and Taryn Kent of North Vernon, IN and three great grandchildren, Kayla Gajewski, Addyson Kent and Carter Kent. LaVeta was preceded in death by her parents, her husband and one brother, Bruce E. Edge. Funeral services for LaVeta will take place at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, June 8, 2012 at Goodwin Funeral Home, 524 Broadway. Burial will follow in Brownsburg Cemetery in Brownsburg, Indiana. Friends may visit with LaVetas family from 4-7 p.m. on Thursday at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Knox County Marine Corps League detachment or the Vincennes Association Chapter of Kappa Kappa Kappa. On line condolences may be sent at www.goodwinfamilyfh.com.