Francis Edwund Sheehy

Francis Sheehy 

It is with sadness that the family of Francis Edmund Sheehy announces his passing on March 18, 2026. Francis was born to Greta and Edmund in West Coburg, a suburb of Melbourne, Australia on February 14, 1940. He left home at the age of 16 to join the seminary and, after years of study, traveled to Münster, Germany to continue his religious studies as a member of the Franciscan Order. His research focused on the Book of Job and theodicy, which marked the formal beginning of his lifelong pursuit of reconciling God's goodness and the undeniable presence of evil. In 1968, Francis left Germany (and the church) and emigrated to Kalamazoo, Michigan, where he started a family. Francis fittingly found his way into the travel industry, proudly owning and operating Accent Travel for the 40 years before his passing.  Francis is survived by his children (and grandchildren), Ann and her husband Jonathan (Joshua, Benjamin, and Caleb), Rita, Barbara and her husband, Jon (Adelina and Matilda), Michael and his wife, Jeanie, Philip and his wife, Alisa (Blythe and June), and John and his wife, Anna (Greta and Moira). He is also survived by their mother, Florence; his brothers, Gerard (Lucia) and Bernard (Pauline); his nephew, Anthony and his wife, Thérèse (Ellie and Rory); and his niece Thérèse and her partner, Ben. He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Michael.  Francis was active in Kalamazoo's soccer scene for many years, first as a coach in AYSO and then more memorably as a longtime referee at all levels of competition. He was an avid sports fan, with unwavering loyalty to the Celtics, Dodgers, Packers, and Fighting Irish-these teams earned his fandom while he served as a chaplain to American service members in Germany in the 1960s. Francis was a voracious reader of religious and cultural texts, as well as more light-hearted fare like crime thrillers.  He loved traveling, surpassed perhaps only by his love of sharing the gift of travel. One of his most cherished recommendations was a visit to the Basilica of St. Francis in the hilltop town of Assisi-a tribute to the life and teachings of his namesake, whose humility, intellectual curiosity, and compassion shaped Francis's own outlook. His family and friends will fondly remember how he paired his remarkable recall of places and events with a storyteller's gift, giving listeners the sense that they too had shared in his adventures. Those of us who were lucky enough to have actually joined him will cherish those memories. He will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered as he sets out on his next adventure.  A heartfelt thanks to the caregivers of Select Specialty Hospital in Battle Creek who cared so expertly for Francis in his final days.  In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Covenant House (https://www.covenanthouse.org/) and/or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital (https://www.stjude.org/). A Celebration of Life is to be held at a later date.  Arrangements with Purse Funeral Home.  www.PurseFuneralHome.com

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