Francis Robert Colbert, 70, died at his home, Rl, Osawatomie, Monday Feb. 28, 1983. He was born July 19, 1912, in Raton, N.M., the oldest of four children of the late Robert Francis and Marguerite Kusnefsky Colbert.

The family moved to Osawatomie in 1919. He graduated from the Osawatomie High School with the class of 1930. He was married May 25, 1939, in Mound City to Freda Bolling. They became the parents of seven children.

Most of his life Mr. Colbert was self-employed. He started a machine shop in 1936 and then owned a construction company and a salvage yard.

He was a member of the St. Philip Neri Catholic Church of Osawatomie.

Two sons, Francis Robert Colbert Jr. and Robert Joseph Colbert, a brother and a sister, also preceded him in death.

Surviving are his wife, Mrs. Freda Colbert, of the home; three daughters, Gloria Jean Freeman of Phoenix, Ariz., Roberta Ann Johnson of Topeka, and Carolyn Sue Colbert of Kansas City; two sons, Michael Anthony Colbert of Columbus, and Francis Colbert of the home; a sister, Mrs. Helen Allenman, and nine grandchildren.

Rosary prayers were said at 8 p.m., Wednesday, at the Eddy-Birchard Funeral Home in Osawatomie. Services were at 10 a.m., Thursday, at the St. Philip Neri Catholic Church by the Rev. S. J. Weitharn.

Burial was in the Osawatomie Cemetery. Pallbearers were Kevin Colbert, David Stewart, Clyde Smith, Jim Maxwell, Bob Hays, Walt Hays and John Yoger.