Francis John Chrismer, 74 of Mt. Ida, Arkansas passed away Sunday, November 3, 2019 at the Montgomery County Nursing Home. He was born April 28, 1945 in Falmouth, England to Bernard and Naomi Anne (Gibbs) Chrismer, the oldest of thirteen children.
Frank grew up in the Gettysburg, Pennsylvania area and enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1962 serving for twenty-two years. He received a Purple Heart for injuries received in Vietnam. After leaving government service, he attended Stephen F. Austin State University receiving a degree in Forestry. He re-entered government service with the U.S. Forest Service for another twenty years. After his second retirement, he continued serving his community by driving other veterans to the local VA hospital.
Frank is survived by his wife, Gloria Maples Chrismer, formerly of Mt. Ida, Arkansas; three children, Dawn S. Chrismer of Hanover, PA, Sarah K. Chrismer of Carlisle, PA, and Paul D. Chrismer of Gettysburg, PA; two stepchildren, Brandye Brown of Dallas, TX, and Erin Brown of El Rito, New Mexico; two grandchildren, Matthew R. Chrismer of Hanover, PA, and Emma K. Chrismer of Cypress, TX; four brothers and three sisters of Gettysburg, PA; and numerous nieces, nephews, and extended family.
A Celebration of Life will be held at the Catholic War Veterans Hall in Bonneauvile, Pennsylvania on December 7, 2019. Interment will be in Arlington Cemetery on a later date. Arrangements were made under the direction of Thornton Funeral Home of Mount Ida, AR. Guest register at www.thorntonfh.com
