Francis S. Deters, 78, of Centralia, Kansas, died early Friday morning, February 3, 2006, at a Topeka hospital. His death was due to pulmonary complications during treatment for a fractured hip.

He was born October 29, 1928, on a farm northeast of Baileyville, the son of Frank J. and Mary Agnes Osterhaus Deters. He attended school in Baileyville and helped on the family farm. During the Korean Conflict, he served in the U.S. Army with the military police from 1952 to 1954.

On April 11, 1955, he married Edith Stallbaumer at St. Mary’s Church in St. Benedict. They lived and farmed northwest of Centralia, their present home. He was preceded in death by a daughter, Marilyn Deters, on July 1, 1973. In 2005 Francis and Edith celebrated their golden wedding anniversary.

He was a member of Sacred Heart Church at Baileyville, and the American Legion in Centralia.

Survivors are his wife Edith of the home; four sons, David of Manhattan, Kansas, James of Lawrence, Kevin of Centralia, and John of Silver Lake; two daughters, Donna Howard of Watertown, South Dakota, and Celene Pallensen of Leavenworth; two sisters, Emma Holthaus of Horton and Clara Krogman of Baileyville; 13 grandchildren and two step-grandsons.

Besides his daughter, he was preceded in death by three brothers, Edward, Joseph and Aloysius Deters; and three sisters, Ann Ronnebaum, Alvina Stallbaumer, and Marie H. Stallbaumer.

Mass of Christian burial will be 11 AM Monday at Sacred Heart Church in Baileyville. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Rosaries will be prayed at 2 & 7 PM Sunday at Lauer Funeral Home in Seneca.

Memorials may be given for Sacred Heart Church, and sent in care of the family.