Francis Arganbright

Francis Oren Arganbright, age 81 of Waterville, passed away on Thursday, March 12, 2026, at the Good Shepherd Hospice House in Manhattan.

Born on May 28, 1944, on the family farm northwest of Waterville, he was the son of Oren Bertrum and Alice Lilian (Shaw) Arganbright. He graduated from Waterville High School. On February 10, 1963, at the Waterville United Methodist Church, he married Carolyn Elizabeth Arganbright.

Francis spent his entire life farming, an occupation that for him was a true passion. He took great pride in his work, maintaining perfectly straight rows and keeping his fields free of weeds. A proud member of the Masonic Lodge and the Heartland Corvette Club, he found joy in restoring Allis Chalmers tractors and embraced motorsports through drag racing, tractor pulling, and anything that satisfied his unmistakable need for speed.

He is survived by his wife, Carolyn Arganbright of Waterville; one son, Thad Arganbright and wife Tabitha of Waterville; one daughter, Trisha Arganbright Bannon of Cheyenne, Wyoming; two brothers, Robert Arganbright and wife Kay of Woods River, Illinois and Jim Brady and wife Kathy of Emporia; four grandchildren, Treg Arganbright, Payton Newlin and husband Jack, Benjamin Arganbright, and Jack Bannon; and two great-grandchildren, Brighton and Paisley Newlin. He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Milton Arganbright.