Ely Francis

Sun Prairie -- Ely Francis, age 90, died on Wednesday, January 5, 2010, at HospiceCare in Fitchburg. He was born on August 21, 1919 in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, the son of Fred Fargo and Elizabeth Jane Ely. In track in high school, Ely was Wisconsin State Champion in the half mile and mile and set school records which lasted 44 years. He had the fastest half mile in the US in1937 and received a full Scholarship to Marquette University. Ely served in the Army Air Corp from 1944 to 1946. Ely was vice president of finance for RCA International, Elgin Watch and Canada Dry. He lived in many places throughout his life including London, England, Rome, Italy and Brussels, Belgium. Ely volunteered in the Self Help of Wisconsin Program at the Green Bay Correctional Institute.

He is survived by his wife, Christina Strebe Francis of Sun Prairie and her children, Peter Strebe, Sara (Jamie) Strebe Gurley, Paul Strebe and his daughters, Olivia and Isabel and Laura Strebe and her daughter, Michaela Friedel; He is also survived by his sons, James, Richard and Thomas Francis.

No services will be held.

Ely's family would like to extend a thank you to the staff at Harmony Living Center in Sun Prairie his Care Wisconsin Team and HospiceCare in Fitchburg for their caring and loving attention.