Francis R. 'Frank' Urbis

ONTONAGON, Mich. — Francis R. “Frank” Urbis, 88, of Paulding, died on Thursday, Jan. 23, 2014, at Aspirus Ontonagon Long Term Care hospital.

Francis was born in Ewen on April 5, 1925, son of Andrew and Mary Urbis.

He married Patricia Knapp, of Watersmeet, on Nov. 5, 1955. They had been married for more than 58 years.

Francis was proceeded in death by his parents; and brother, Edward. His brother, Clarence “James,” continues to live on the Bruce Crossing farm where Francis resided until his marriage. After establishing his own trucking business, Francis worked as a locomotive operator at the White Pine Copper Mine. Francis and his family operated the Paulding General Store for many years and Frank’s Bait and Tackle thereafter.

In addition to his wife, Patricia, and brother, Clarence, Francis is survived by his three children, Robert and wife Jennifer, of Wadsworth, Ill., Richard, of Rochester, and Susan Karoll, of Frisco, Texas; and five grandchildren, Rachel, Ryan, Kristina, Erika and Matthew.

Francis was a avid hunter, trapper and fisherman. He was the recipient of numerous awards, including from the United States Department of the Interior, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and North Bay Canada Fur Harvesters award.

Visitation will be conducted from noon to 1:30 p.m. CST today, Saturday, Jan. 25, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Watersmeet, with a Funeral Mass immediately following.

The Cane Funeral Home (canefuneralhome.com) is assisting the family.