Francis "Hap" Hapner

August 16, 1916 – October 11, 2009

Francis S. (Hap) Hapner, age 93, of Riverside, OH passed away Sunday, October 11, 2009 at VITAS Hospice in Dayton, OH. He was born August 16, 1916 in Hamilton, OH to Sylvester C. and Pearl V. Hapner who preceded him in death. He is also preceded in death by his wife of 63 years, Mary Louis Ellers. He is survived by his daughters Nancye (Henry) Bechard, of Bedford, NH, Judi Cettel, of Cincinnati, OH, Lynda J. Hapner, of Dayton, OH, Sara L. (Charles) Burns, of Oak Harbor, OH; 4 grandchildren John (Angela) Bechard, Deborah Belville, Nicholas Burns and Katie Burns; 4 great grandchildren Ty Belville, Jonathan, Joshua and Matthew Bechard.

Hap graduated from Hamilton High School, attended the University of Cincinnati, Wharton School of Business and Wright State University. He served with the United States Air Corp (Air Force) during World War II, flying 25 missions with the 8th Air Force, as chief navigator of a B-17. He attained the rank of Lieutenant Colonel and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal with three oak leaf clusters, the Presidential Citation with two clusters, and many other campaign decorations.

He spent his career as an Industrial Engineer working for the USDA in Washington D.C. and later working for private industry in Nashua, NH where he was employed by Phil Lamoy of 20th Century Markets as Operation Manager. He was a past president of Nashua Exchange Club and was actively involved in his community. He moved to Dayton, OH in 1969 and was employed by NCR until his retirement in 1981.

After retirement, Hap renewed his commitment to service by becoming an active member of the 95th Bomb Group. He designed and was project manager of the memorial honoring this group which is now part of Memorial Park located at the National Museum of the US Air Force in Dayton, OH.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, October 16, 2009, at St. Helen Catholic Church, 5100 Burkhardt Road, Riverside, OH 45431. Interment will follow in Greenwood Cemetery in Hamilton, OH. The family will receive friends at the TOBIAS FUNERAL HOME-BEAVERCREEK CHAPEL, 3970 Dayton-Xenia Road at Grange Hall Road from 6:30-8:30 p.m. on Thursday, October 15, 2009 and from 10 a.m. until the time of Mass on Friday at the church. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to VITAS Hospice or the 95th Bomb Group. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.tobiasfuneralhome.com.

JournalNews, The (Hamilton, OH) - Tuesday, October 13, 2009