Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties

Elizabeth Mae Marks DeFrancisco

ONTONAGON, Mich. — Elizabeth Mae Marks DeFrancisco, 97, of Ontonagon, passed away Wednesday, June 27, 2018 at Aspirus Ontonagon Hospital’s Long Term Care Unit.

She was born Nov. 11, 1920 to the late Edward and Roslena White in Big Bay. Elizabeth married Elmer Marks, Sr. in 1937. He preceded her in death in 1966. She married Joseph DeFrancisco in 1971. He preceded her in death in 1982. Elizabeth had six children born to her and Elmer Marks, Sr .; Elmer Marks, Jr., Marjorie Bauer, Violet Pestka, Georginia Marks, Billy Marks and Ruth Marks.

Elizabeth worked at the Ontonagon Memorial Hospital for many years. She also owned and operated the Village Bar in Ontonagon for many years. Elizabeth was a member of the VFW Auxiliary in Ontonagon, until it dissolved. She then became a member of the VFW Auxiliary in Wakefield. Elizabeth was also a member of the American Legion in White Pine for a number of years.

She enjoyed reading her prayer book, western books, watching television, talking on the phone and caring for her flowers.

Elizabeth is survived by her children Elmer (Carol) Marks, Jr. of Ontonagon, Marjorie (the late Lawrence) Bauer, of Ontonagon, Georgenia (Chip Felmer) Marks of Peshtigo, Wis. and Billy (Kim) Marks of Stanton; 16 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren, 8 great-great-grandchildren, sister Ann Coron of Ramsay, brother Walter White and many other nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husbands Elmer Marks, Sr. and Joseph DeFrancisco, daughters Violet Pestka and Ruth Marks, brother John White, son-in-law Ronald Pestka, daughter-in-law Linda Lou Marks and brother-in-law Lawrence Coron.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, July 3, at 11 a.m. at Holy Family Catholic Church in Ontonagon. Friends may call at the church 1 hour prior to the Mass. Burial will take place in the Marenisco Cemetery, Marenisco. The Cane Funeral Home of Ontonagon is assisting the family.

In lieu of flowers the family request that donations be made to the Ontonagon Cancer Association, P O Box 282, Ontonagon MI 49953.