Mr. Francis Kjellander, 96, of Pennbrooke Fairways in Leesburg, Florida, formerly of Abingdon, passed away Wednesday, March 18, 2026, in hospice care.

He was born December 6, 1929, on the family farm northeast of Abingdon to Fredrick Oscar and Cora Jane (Skinner) Kjellander. He attended Abingdon schools and spent much of his youth living and working on his uncles’ farms. Francis proudly served in the U.S. Army from 1951 to 1952 during the Korean War. He was employed at Abingdon Pottery before beginning a long career at the Admiral refrigerator plant in Galesburg, where he retired in 1990 after 35 years of dedicated service.

On June 27, 1953, Francis married Gwendolyn Marie Allison at the Christian Church in Abingdon. Together they made their home in rural Abingdon, where they raised four children and where Francis fulfilled his lifelong dream of farming. He was a devoted fan of the St. Louis Cardinals, and many cherished family vacations included trips to Busch Stadium to enjoy a game. Following his retirement, Francis became an avid golfer and earned several men’s championships at Pennbrooke Fairways, where he resided.

Francis was preceded in death by his parents; his siblings, Glenn, Hazel, Fred, Bob, and Ruth; his beloved wife of 67 years, Gwen; and his youngest son, Jason.

He is survived by his children, Jeffrey (Nancy) Kjellander of Monmouth, Illinois, Jennifer “Ginger” Parks of Poughkeepsie, New York, and Joseph Kjellander of Leesburg, Florida; his grandchildren, Jenny Kjellander, Allison (Cynthia) Kjellander-Cantu, Lindsay “Nikki” (Corbin) McCabe, and Mallory Kate Kjellander; his great-grandchildren, Gwen Browne, Knox Morales, Cruz Morales, and Leah Kjellander-Cantu; his in-laws, Bernice Kjellander, Dennis and Judy Poland, and Hugh “Butch” Allison, Jr.; as well as many cousins, nieces, nephews, and their families who affectionately knew him as “Uncle Franny” or simply “U.F.”

Francis will be remembered for his devotion to family, his strong work ethic, and the simple joys he found in farming, baseball, and the game of golf. He will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.

Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Friday, March 27, 2026, at Hinchliff-Pearson-West Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Abingdon Chapel. A funeral service will be held 10:00 a.m. at the chapel on Saturday, March 28, 2026, with Chaplain Jordan Knight officiating. Burial with military honors will follow at Abingdon Cemetery. Online condolences may be made at www.h-p-w.com