Mervin John Francis, 92, of Harrisburg, NC passed way Monday, June 19, 2017 at Tucker Hospice House.

He was born on December 31, 1924 in Newark, New Jersey to the late Leon and Hazel Bryant Francis.
Mr. Francis served as a Merchant Marine from 1943-1945 and later retired from the U.S. Air Force in 1988 as a Lieutenant Colonel. After his military career, he volunteered with the Oakhurst Fire Department in Oakhurst, NJ for over 50 years.
He was preceded in death by his brothers, Alan R. Francis and Leon W. Francis. Survivors include daughter, Margaret Francis-Cochran and husband Dave; grandchildren, Matthew A. Cochran, and John Cochran and wife, Amanda; great-grandchildren, Emmalyn and Hailey; sister, Sara Lee and husband John of Howell, NJ; and brother, Gordon Francis and wife Anne of Howell, NJ.
Relatives and friends are invited to visit from 5-8 pm Thursday, June 29, 2017 at the Fiore Funeral Home, 236 Monmouth Road, Oakhurst. Services will be held at 7:30 pm Thursday and burial will be on Friday at Woodbine Cemetery in Oceanport. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to the Oakhurst Fire Department.