Donald W.  Francis, 78, of Britt died Tuesday morning, March 30, 1993 at Hancock County Memorial Hospital. Donald Francis was born April 27, 1914 on a farm across from Twin Lakes, outside of Kanawha.  He was youngest of seven children born to Fred and Emma (Pratt) Francis.  He spent his childhood in the Goodell and Belmond area and attended schools there and also in Clairmont, Minnesota. He was united in marriage with Cleo Davis of Peoria, Illinois on May 6, 1935 at the home of Rev. B.A. Rust in Britt, Iowa.  He worked 17 Campaigns in the Laboratory at the Sugar Beet Plant in Mason City, Iowa.  For 13 years he was employed by St. Francis Hospital in Peoria, Illinois, as a Maintenance Foreman in charge of painting.  In his later years the couple made their home in Faribault, Minnesota and Britt, Iowa.  In May of 1944, he entered into WWII and served with the Medical Corp and later transferred into the Armored Infantry, where he received the Purple Heart.  He served in both the Battle of the Bulge and the Bridge of Remagen. He was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters and two brothers. He is survived by his wife, Cleo Francis of Britt, Iowa; four sons: Dalton E. Francis and his wife, Charlene of Eden Prairie, Minnesota, William P. Francis and friend, Helen Rilley of Ellington, Florida, James E. Francis and Darlene Francis of Faribault, Minnesota, John L. Francis and his wife, Kathy of Britt, Iowa; two sisters: Edna Gram of Clarion, Iowa, and Hazel Buchanan of Bartonville, Illinois; 15 grandchildren; two step-grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; two step-great grandchildren.