Francis Biss

(From Clark Funeral Home)

Francis Gregory Biss I went to his heavenly home on February 20, 2026, at the age of 92. He was born on June 8, 1933, to Margaret Craig, in Washington DC.

Francis enlisted in the US Army at the tender age of 17. While in the Army he earned his GED. He married Beverly Ann Ryno while stationed at Camp Crowder in 1955. Much of his military career was spent in Italy. While stationed there, his four children were born. He was an MP, Engineer, ran a dock in Vietnam, and worked in the Motor Pool at the Train Yard. During his 21-year military career, Francis was called to serve in both the Korean and Vietnam Wars. He retired from the military in 1970.

After retiring from the Army, he became a janitor at Goodman School, and later at Intermediate School, both in the Neosho R-5 School District. While working as a janitor, Francis was also running a farm where he primarily raised milk goats. Working at the school and operating his goat farm weren’t enough, Francis also attended Missouri Southern where he earned degrees in Criminal Justice and Animal Husbandry, while also serving as a Neosho Police Auxiliary Officer. For a short time, he drove a propane delivery truck for Al’s Gas Company of Neosho and drove a school bus for the Neosho School District. After completing his degree in Criminal Justice, he worked for the Newton County Sherriff’s Department, Neosho Police Department, and as the Police Chief in Jasper, Missouri.

Francis had countless stories about his time in the service and on the force. He received a Purple Heart, the Bronze Star, and numerous other awards and medals throughout his career. He was well-known for his bravery and heroics. He also had a softer side, the side that stopped to change a stranger’s tire, and would even take the tire to be repaired and pay for it. He also spent time collecting gifts from local businesses, although he paid for most of them out of his own pocket, and he would deliver the gifts to 5 local VA facilities, dressed up as Santa Clause. He always brought Hershey’s Kisses with him and would ask the ladies if they would like a kiss. His children fondly remember him as being a prankster. When he was home on leave, he would take the boys out in the yard and show them his MP moves, flipping and flinging them around like rag dolls. He also pulled his daughter, Denise, over and gave her a ticket for having faulty equipment when he knew she was driving her mother’s car that had a burnt-out taillight.

Even in his older age (2022), you could still find Francis out on his farm cutting brush with a chainsaw on the right-of-way because the Highway Department hadn’t done it yet.

Francis married Betty Lenore Redford on his 65th birthday, June 8, 1998, at Hilldale Baptist Church in Neosho, Missouri. Together they shared 27 years of marriage until Francis’ passing. Betty calls him her “angel” because he saved her and helped her to get back on her feet.

Crossbar Cowboy Church of Neosho, Missouri was his home church, where he was a dedicated member.

Francis is survived by his wife, Betty; five children: Francis G Biss II of Neosho, Missouri, Walter Robert Biss and wife, Barbara, of Diamond, Missouri, Robert DeVore and wife, Monica, of Springfield, Missouri, Angela Terry, and husband, Owen, of Red Bay, Alabama, and Rosemary Brackett of Joplin, Missouri; and one sister, Theresa Biss Lock of New York.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Beverly Ryno Biss; his son, Wayne Jerome Biss; his daughter, Beverly Denise Biss; and his two brothers James and Willie.

A Memorial Visitation will be held from 1:00 – 2:30 pm on Friday, March 6, 2026, at Clark Funeral Home in Neosho, Missouri.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to VFW Post 4142 c/o Clark Funeral Home P.O. Box 66 Neosho, Missouri 64850.

Services are under the personal care and direction of Clark Funeral Homes.