Francis J. Altman, 92, formerly of Chalmers, a resident of Twin Lakes Village, Monticello, died Monday, December 16, 2002 at White County Memorial Hospital.

He was born in Anslem, N.D., on May 3, 1910, to Anton Stephen and Margaret Lucille Horan Altman and moved back to Reynolds, Indiana when he was 5 years old.

His family on the Horan and Altman side had lived in Indiana since 1849. His grandfather, John Horan, brought the first Catholic priest to White County for Mass in his home in Reynolds, near what is now St. Joseph Catholic Church. He married Beulah Evelyn Wann in South Bend on May 28, 1935. She died on May 25, 1997.

He was a farmer nearly all his life and drove a school bus for 32+ years. He served as a volunteer coach for West Point Township boy's basketball team for many years. He served on the Production Credit Board; served on the White County Fair Board; was a charter member of White County Soil and Water Conservation; was precinct committee person for the West Point Township for 54 years; delegate to the Democrat State Convention 14 times; member and former officer of Holy Name Society; charter member of the K of C at Monticello; and NFO member since 1962.

Survivors include sons; Francis Danton (Gusta) Altman and Jerry Dean (Kathleen) Altman, both of Monticello, Kenneth Eugene (Mary Helen) Altman and Charles Raymond (Elaine) Altman, both of Chalmers. William Joseph (Lois) Altman of Muncie and Phillip Jack Altman of Chalmers; a daughter Virginia "Ginger" Altman Erickson of West Lafayette; a brother, Wilmer (Mary Alice) Altman of Ambia; sister Antonetta Higgins of Los Angeles; 16 grandchildren; nine great grandchildren; and one great-great grandson. He and Beulah loved them all.

Two sisters are deceased.

A Rosary service will be held at 4 p.m. today at Hartzler Funeral Home in Brookston followed by visitation from 4:30 - 8 p.m. A funeral mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Thursday at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Reynolds, with Monsignor Robert Sell officiating.

Burial will be in Chalmers Community Cemetery.