Francis H "Shorty" Wierman, 93 years 11 months of McCracken, Kansas passed away October 8, 2016 at Rush County Memorial Hospital Long Term Care in Lacrosse KS. He was born Nov. 8, 1922 in Ness County, KS to William J. and Margaret McGaughey Wierman.

He was a contractor and farmer, World War II army veteran, serving May 4, 1944 to May 7, 1946.

He served in combat in the Rhineland of Germany, participating in several battles, including the Battle of the Bulge, before the war's end.

After basic training he was sent to Fort George Meade, Maryland for overseas duty, and finally transferred to Myles Standish, Massachusetts to be shipped overseas to England. Once he arrived in England, he crossed the English Channel into France and joined the 121 ^st Infantry Regiment, C Company, Eighth Division in Luxembourg. Francis served under General Dwight D. Eisenhower and General George Patton. After the war and returning to Fort Orde, California, Francis was part of the Army Day Parade up Market Street in San Francisco. Francis did receive the Bronze Star thirty-nine years after the war was over.

Francis was a local and county 4-H leader. He was a life member of the American Legion Post 59 for 38 years.

Francis married Harriet Roberta Kittle on Nov. 23, 1948 at Sacred Heart Church in Ness City. Francis is survived by his wife of 67 years; daughters, Rita Brethowr of Park City, Kansas; Marilyn Sommers (George) of Silver Lake, Kansas; son, Ray Wierman (Laura) of Bennington, Kansas. He is also survived by 5 grandchildren, 4 great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

He is proceeded in death by siblings, Gertrude Brackney, Marie Pfannenstiel, Bill Wierman, Mildred Kraisinger, Delores Clumsky, Eugene Wierman, James "Whitie" Wierman, Albert Wierman, Keith Wierman, Marjorie Linenberger & Betty Greenway.

Viewing will be October 11 from 9AM – 3PM at Fitzgerald Funeral Home, Ness City. Family will receive friends & guests 5:30PM - 7 PM Octo ber 11. Parish Rosary will be held at 7 PM, October 11 at St. Mary's Heritage Church, McCracken, Kansas. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 AM at St. Mary's Heritage Church, McCracken, Kansas. Burial will follow at St. Mary's Cemetery, rural McCracken.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to McCracken St. Mary's Heritage Church or Rush County Memorial Hospital Long Term Care, in care of Fitzgerald Funeral Home, PO Box 96, Ness City, KS 67560.