France, Robert Claude

Robert C. France, Sr., 79, of Bucyrus, died Friday morning at Galion Community Hospital.

He was born in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio to the late Roland and Margaret E. (Poelking) France. Robert was a veteran of World War II serving in the U.S. Navy. In July of 1950, he married Rita P. Smith who survives. After serving his country, he attended Business College and in the early 1950's he and his wife moved to Bucyrus, where he operated a roller rink for W.A. Lutz. Robert eventually bought the business and changed the name to R.C. France Roller Arena, where he was known as the professional roller skating instructor. He was a member of the Society of Roller Skater Teachers Assoc. and had taught in the Lima area for thirty-plus years. In addition to his skating life, Robert was a car salesman, trimmed trees, was a telephone line man, and was a technician at the Cully Music Co. He was a member of Holy Trinity Catholic Church. Robert enjoyed his cars, being outdoors, and boating, canoeing, and spending time with his family.

In addition to his wife of nearly 57 years, Robert is survived by six children, Bob (Sue) France, Jr. of Mt. Dora, Fla., Bernie (Anita) France of Bucyrus, Ronnie France of Bucyrus, Margaret (Jim) Wilson, of Cincinnati, Kathleen (Kevin) Woods of Lima and Ray (Patty) France of Lima; twelve grandchildren, five great-grandchildren; one brother, Alva (Rosemarie) France; two sisters, Dorothy Howe of Akron, and Kathleen (Russell) Marlowe of Bardstown, Ky.; along with numerous nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, Bob was preceded in death by two brothers, Ronnie and Jerry France and a sister, Eileen Calavaruso.

The family will receive friends from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. on Tuesday, May 29, 2007 at Wise Funeral Service, with a Rosary Service to be held at 8:45 that evening. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, with Rev. Fr. Ronald J. LeJeune as celebrant. Burial will follow in the Holy Trinity section at Oakwood Cemetery, where full military rites will be observed by the Col. Crawford Post 181, Am. Legion. Memorial contributions may be given to the France family through the funeral home. Expressions of sympathy may be left at www.wisefuneral.com.