Francis Yarnell

Francis E. Yarnell, 84, of Lynchburg, Virginia, died Monday, June 15, 2015 after a long battle with cancer.

He was born in Piedmont, Ohio to the late John E. and Bessie H. Yarnell on November 21, 1930.

As a young man, Francis was a Boy Scout and later a Sea Scout, being part of the first Sea Scout Troop in Ohio and trained on the S.S. Hanna on Piedmont Lake.

He graduated from Freeport High School in 1948, The Ohio State University in 1961, and attended graduate school at Michigan State University, Central Washington State University, Carnegie Mellon University, and Kent State University. He served in the Korean War in the United States Navy from 1951-1955. On May 20, 1951, Francis married the love of his life, Marilyn Jean Mears.

After receiving a Bachelor’s Degree from The Ohio State University, he taught U.S. History and World History at New Philadelphia High School. Later in his career, he was a teacher coordinator of the OWE (Occupational Work Experience) program. Francis retired from teaching in 1985 and enjoyed his love of traveling. He visited all 50 states including Alaska and Hawaii. He also traveled in Mexico and in Canada. Francis also loved to garden, read, and fish.

He was a member of Tuscarawas County Retired Teachers Association, Ohio Retired Teachers Association, and the American Legion. He was a member of South Broadway United Methodist Church in New Philadelphia and attended Peakland United Methodist Church in Lynchburg, Virginia.

He is survived by his loving wife of 64 years, Marilyn (Mears) Yarnell; his daughter, Marla Ann (Louis) Gamino of Temple, Texas; his son, Kevin D. (Regina) Yarnell of Lynchburg, Virginia; his sister, Marjorie Bardall (Thomas) of Freeport, Ohio; four grandchildren, Ian Yarnell (Germaine) of Tucson, Arizona; Gabriel and Dominic Gamino of Temple, Texas; and Claire Gamino of Washington D.C.; and his sister-in-law, Helen Yarnell of Newark, Ohio.

He was preceded in death by his grandson, Anthony Francis Yarnell Gamino; his sister, Mary Jane Dunlap; and his three brothers, John W. Yarnell, Wayne Yarnell, and Donald Yarnell.

Visitation will be held in the Linn-Hert-Geib Funeral Home at New Philadelphia on Monday, June 22 from 4:00-7:00 p.m. The Reverend Dr. John Vest of Peakland United Methodist Church will officiate a service beginning at 10:00 am on Tuesday, June 23 at the funeral home chapel. Burial will follow at Evergreen Burial Park, where military honors will be rendered for his service.

Memorial contributions in memory of Francis may be directed to Peakland United Methodist Church, 4434 Boonesboro Rd., Lynchburg, Virginia, 24503.