Francis Calvin Staib, of Fremont, died Sept. 17, 2010.

He was born April 6, 1919, to Edward Eugene and Blanche Marie (Talley) Staib, in Seneca Township, Seneca County, Ohio. Francis married Helen Rae Burgderfer at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Tiffin at a Mass officiated by Msgr. Kinnane on June 14, 1945.

On March 17, 1941, Francis was the first individual drafted from Seneca County prior to America's declaration of war. Although he was drafted for a one-year commitment to the Army of the United States, he eventually spent over 50 months serving his country before his honorable discharge, with a rank of Staff Sergeant, on July 19, 1945. His basic training was at Fort Knox, with additional specialized training in Baltimore. He served in the Maintenance Battalion of the 1st Armored Division of the United States Army, spending thirty months overseas, first in North Ireland, and then participating in the Invasions of North Africa (November 1942) and of Italy at the Anzio Beachhead. Arriving in Africa in Oran, Algeria, he marched along with the 1st Armored Division one thousand miles across Northern Africa to Iran. Sailing from Africa to Italy, he spent four months in Anzio, leaving the day after D Day for Rome. In the European battles, he was awarded four Bronze Stars and a Good Conduct Medal. He was allowed to return to the States when he agreed to serve as a guard for captured prisoners aboard ship. Francis landed in Norfolk, Va., then was sent to Camp Atterbury in Indiana, and after being debriefed and having his physical exam, was sent to Florida. He was eventually sent to Fort Aberdeen in Baltimore, where in June of 1945 he took his bride, whom he married in Tiffin during a brief leave. At Aberdeen, he taught other soldiers welding, machinery maintenance, and the necessary math skills to complete the work.