Francis Wilcoxon

Francis M. Wilcoxon, age 95 of Terre Haute and formerly of Brazil, IN died April 7, 2011 at his residence at Cobblestone Crossings in Terre Haute, IN while in the care of the capable staffs of Cobblestone and VistaCare Hospice.

Francis was born on a farm in Shelby County, IN April 8, 1915 as the son of Richard Z. and Nora Frances Wooten Wilcoxon. He was married to Alene Koher Wilcoxon for 64 years. The marriage was blessed by three children, Jane Lawther, Mary Obringer (Mark) and their son Max, and Richard Wilcoxon (Cindy) and their children, Lindsay Trout, Emily Trout, Jeffrey Wilcoxon and Elizabeth (John) Terril, and grandson, Colten. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, and his sister, Jessie Dayle Mahin.

He graduated from Indiana Central College (University of Indianapolis) in 1941 and began teaching and coaching in Mexico, IN and Chili, IN. He served as an executive in the Boy Scouts of America in Terre Haute. Francis’ main career was serving the Brazil, IN community as a life insurance underwriter for Equitable Life Assurance Society (now AXA) from 1950 to 1985 when he retired. He earned the Chartered Life Underwriter degree and key in 1964, later teaching those same classes.

Francis was affiliated with the Exchange Club of Brazil and the Terre Haute Association of Life Underwriters.

He and Alene were faithful members of the First Baptist Church of Brazil. As a dedicated layman in the Evangelical United Brethren (EUB) Church, he traveled to Dallas, TX to vote on the merger between the EUB and Methodist churches forming the United Methodist Church.

During Francis’ retirement, he and Alene enthusiastically followed the Martin County High School Tigers basketball team in Florida.

Francis M. Wilcoxon’s model Christian life, his quiet steadfastness in his faith, and his dignity and courtesy earned him the love and respect of all who knew him.

Visitation will be 4 – 7 p.m. Monday, April 11th at Moore Funeral Home. Funeral services will 10 a.m. Tuesday at the funeral home with Pastors Mark Thompson and Tim Russell officiating. Burial will follow at Clearview Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the First Baptist Church, 413 S. Walnut St., Brazil IN 47834, Serving On the Streets, PO Box 783, Brazil IN 47834 or a charity of one’s choice.