Francis Sherman Hoopes was born June 19, 1932 on the family farm near Anthony, Kansas, son of Rollie and Flossie (Helmbold) Hoopes. He accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior as a teenager and was baptized. He graduated from Anthony High School with the Class of 1950.

Francis enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1952 after attending two years at Kansas State University School of Engineering. He spent four years in the air force security service as a radio operator serving in England and Germany. After his discharge in 1956, he re-enrolled at K-State in the School of Engineering. He graduated mid-term in 1959 with a bachelor's degree in agriculture engineering.

On June 2, 1957, Francis was united in marriage with Pauline Frances Gerberding at the First Baptist Church in Anthony. This union was blessed with two children: Debra and Roger. They lived in Scott City for a short time before settling in Garden City, where they lived for 19 years. During this time Francis worked for the USDA Soil Conservation Service as a licensed professional engineer until being transferred to the State office in Salina as the SCS Water Management Specialist for Kansas. After he retired in 1988, they moved back to a farm near Anthony.

On April 23, 2023, Francis passed away at the Hospice House in Hutchinson, Kansas at the age of 90. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife of 64 years, Pauline; an infant sibling; and two brothers, Dwight and Glenn.

Francis will be deeply missed by his children: Debbie Hilst and husband, Kent, and Roger Hoopes and wife, Katrina; grandchildren: Keaton Hilst and wife, Brooke, and their daughters, Bella, and Annie, who will be arriving soon, Kinsley Riggs and husband, Cody, and their children, Kalloway and Kaffrey, and Kalen Hilst and companion, Meg; other relatives and many friends.

Graveside service will be held 10:30 a.m. Saturday, April 29, 2023 at Forest Park Cemetery in Anthony with Pastor Warren Stanton officiating.

Friends may view and register 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Friday at Prairie Rose Funeral Home in Anthony.

Memorials in memory of Francis may be made to Hospice & Homecare of Reno County for the Hospice House and can be sent in care of Prairie Rose Funeral Home, 602 E. Main St., Anthony, KS 67003.