Carthage - Francis W. Nortz, 94, died Sunday, December 14, 2014, in the Skilled Nursing Unit of the Carthage Area Hospital.

Francis was born in Croghan on October 20, 1920, the son of the late Vincent W. and Angeline Bush Nortz. He was a graduate of Father Leo Memorial School in 1938. He served in the Army Air Corps in the Pacific Theater from 1942 to 1945. Francis married the former Jane A. Higman on August 8, 1959 at St. James Church in Carthage with his cousin, the Rev. Alfred E. Nortz officiating.


He was employed at Lehman and Zehr Lumber Co. in Croghan from 1939 to 1969 and then went to work at Carthage Machine Co. and retired in 1991. Mrs. Nortz died on March 25, 2014.

Francis served as the first President of the Croghan Fire Dept. after its reorganization, Past Grand Knight of St. Stephen's Council Knights of Columbus #2175, Past President of the Augustinian Academy Board of Education, Past Board Member of the Town of Wilna Housing Authority, Secretary of several bowling leagues in Croghan and Carthage and was a Life Member of the BPOE Lodge # 1762 in Carthage where he served as Treasurer from 1966-1974 and Secretary from 1974-1996 and was a former "Elk of the Year".

He is survived by one daughter and her husband: Mary and Steven Ebele of Denver, CO, one son and his wife: Dennis and Donna Nortz of Denver, CO, two brothers: Howard Nortz of Croghan and Bernard Nortz of Beaver Falls and nieces and nephews. Two sisters, Thelma and Florence Nortz are predeceased.


Funeral services will be held on Friday at 10:00 AM at St. James Church with the Rev. George F. Maroun, Pastor officiating. Burial will be in the St. Stephens Cemetery, Croghan. Calling hours at the Bezanilla-McGraw Funeral Home will be on Thursday from 4-7pm. There will be an Elks memorial service on Thursday evening at 6:30 pm.

Contributions in his memory may be made to the Heritage Fund of St. James Church, 327 West St., Carthage, NY 13619 or to the Elks National Foundation.