Francis G. "Kiki" Morelli

Leetonia - August 10, 2009 - Francis G. "Kiki" Morelli, 86, of 238 Elm Street, died at 4:30 p.m. Monday, at St. Mary's Alzheimer's Center, Columbiana, following an extended illness.

Mr. Morelli was born July 22, 1923 in Leetonia, a son of Samuel C. and Mary Colliani Morelli and had lived in the area all his life.

Kiki had worked as an assembler and steam tester for National Rubber Machinery in Leetonia for 27 years retiring in 1983.

He was a member of St. Patrick's Catholic Church and the Italian American Club in Leetonia. He was a staff sergeant in the U.S. Air Force during WWII where he was a tailgunner for the Flying Tigers. He was a member of the Joe Williams Post #131 American Legion.

He is survived by two daughters, Mary "Tina" (Robert) Dailey of Columbiana and Valerie (Steven) Miller of Parma; a son, Daniel Warren Morelli of Leetonia; four grandchildren, Robert Dailey, Shannon (Ralph) Tringhese, Adrian and Andrea Miller and two great grandsons, Jared and Derek Houser.

Kiki was preceded in death on February 17, 1998 by his wife the former, Mary K. Gavin, whom he married August 9, 1947; a daughter, Frances Jean Lossick five sisters, Helen Butch, Ann Marshall, Pauline DiRocco, Jennie Morelli and Mary Jane Morelli; and four brothers, Raymond Sr., Alfred, Anthony and James Morelli.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 a.m. Friday, at St. Patrick's Catholic Church with Reverend Thomas Eisweirth officiating. Burial will follow in Mt. Calvary Cemetery where the combined group of the Salem Amvets and VFW Honor Guard will accord military honors. Friends may call from 6-8 Thursday, at the Woods-Rettig Funeral Home, Leetonia.

Memorial tributes may be made to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society or the American Heart Association.