Francis William Endres

Francis William Endres, age 79, of New Philadelphia, passed away peacefully late Thursday evening, July 19, 2012.

Born at his family’s West High Avenue home, on April 22, 1933, he was a son of the late Louis P. and Magdalena Yenny Endres, Sr.

Best known as “Bill” by his family and friends, he spent most of his life devoted to the operation of the former Endres Floral Company, of which he was past president. He was widely known within the agricultural industry, serving as a member of the Ohio State Florists Association, and the Ohio Farm Bureau, serving on their statewide board of directors. He was also affiliated with two national organizations, Roses Incorporated and the Society of American Florists. He was honored in 1984 as Ohio Farmer of the Year by The Ohio Bureau.

Locally, Bill was a lifelong member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church, the Knights of Columbus, the Catholic Order of Foresters, and was a former member of the New Philadelphia Kiwanis Club. In his spare time, Bill enjoyed bowling and golf.

Bill never married and played a large role in the lives of all of his nieces and nephews. All of his nieces and nephews could always count on Bill for support and encouragement in their lives – in many ways he acted like another father figure in all of their lives.

Survivors include his brother, Lou (wife, Mary Lou) Endres, Jr. of New Philadelphia, as well as his nieces; Paula (husband, Frank) Hunter of Houston, Texas, and Sarah (husband, Douglas) Farling of Broadview Heights, Nancy Endres of Chagrin Falls, Patricia (husband, Earl) Schott of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, Judy Endres and Genevieve “Sissy” Endres, both of Ann Arbor, Michigan, and three nephews; Louis III (wife, Cathy) Endres of Plain City, Tim (wife, Mary Lou Burns) Endres of Copley, and Brennen (wife, Kate) Endres of Dover.

Numerous great-nieces, and great-nephews complete the family.

In addition to his parents, Bill is preceded in death by twin infant brothers, a brother, Edward, who passed away as a young boy, his sister, Genevieve, who professed her faith as Sister Francis Richard Endres of the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth, Kentucky, and three brothers, Eugene, Carl, and Father Richard Endres. A nephew, Carl “Pete” Endres, and a great-nephew, Sean Endres, are also deceased.

Friends are invited to call Wednesday, July 25, from 10 – 10:45 in the Linn-Hert-Geib Funeral Home & Crematory at New Philadelphia. Father Jeff Coning will celebrate Mass of Christian Burial Wednesday morning at 11 AM in Sacred Heart Catholic Church– with the procession forming at the funeral home, departing for the church at 10:50.

Burial will follow, alongside his family, in Calvary Cemetery, at New Philadelphia. A luncheon will follow the committal service, in the Geib Family Center, adjacent to the Funeral home.