Diane Evelyn Francis

Diane Evelyn Francis, age 55, of Marmaduke passed from this life on August 10, 2009, at the Baptist Memorial Hospital in Memphis.

Diane was born September 24, 1953, at Artesia, California, and moved to Bakersfield with her family when she was four years old.

She enjoyed living in the country and swimming at Lakeside School. She attended Lakeside from kindergarten until the eighth grade and graduated from West High School and Bakersfield College.

Diane went to work for Kern County Welfare Department in 1974. She was the county's youngest Account Clerk III before she transferred to the Kern County Park's Department in January 1978.

She was their first full-time female ranger. In five years she became sergeant. Diane retired in 2005 when she was diagnosed with appendix cancer. She was a member of the Hopewell Missionary Baptist Church.

Diane married the love of her life, Joe Francis, in December 1993. Together they raised their family, ran their business, JD Services, and built their home.

Diane is survived by her husband, Joe of the home; her daughters, Crystal Noel and Sonny, Katie Marie and Lyndsay Colkers and husband Tim; two sons, Justin Francis and Bryan Costerain and Rebecca; grandsons, Kaden and Kaleb Colkers; her parents, Orville and Wanda Idema of Bakersfield; her sisters, Marie and Larry Estrada and Annette and Kirk Given, and nephew, Richard Estrada.

She was preceded in death by her brother, Bruce Idema.

Funeral services will be Saturday, August 15, 2009, at 2 p.m. at the Irby Funeral Home in Marmaduke. Brother David White will be officiating. Interment will be in Pleasant Grove Cemetery.

Visitation begins Friday, August 14, 2009, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the chapel also. You may sign the online guest book at www.irbyfuneralhome.com.