Friday, December 28, 2001 The Daily News, Longview, Wash. FRANCIS M. OLMSTED Former local resident Francis Merlin Olmsted, 95, died Dec. 22, 2001, in Aurora, Colo. He was born Feb. 18, 1906, in Cornwall, England to Emma and William Olmsted. His family came to the United States in 1909, settling in Eden Valley, Wash., south of Rosburg. He graduated from high school and took courses in electrical engineering and auto mechanics. Mr. Olmsted spent several summers as a commercial fisherman and invented a power roller to pull heavy nets into the boat. During the Depression, he volunteered to help bring electricity and telephone service to Western Washington. He spent most of his life working as a mechanic on cars, log trucks and fishing boats. He was an active member of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, serving as treasurer for more than 40 years. He enjoyed gardening and boating, and loved classical and religious music. Pie, hot or cold, was his favorite food, and his favorite Bible verse was John 3:16. He married Vera Loretta Blake on June 26, 1938, in Tualatin, Ore. She survives him a home. Also surviving are three sons, Malcolm Olmsted of Aurora, Keith Olmsted of Litchfield Park, Ariz., and Alden Olmsted of Gig Harbor, Wash.; a daughter, Merline Olmsted of Portales, N.M.; 14 grandchildren; and eight great- grandchildren. Three children preceded him in death, Dean, Gwyn, and Lowell. No services will be held. Committal will take place in Cathlamet. Cremation has taken place under the direction of Horan & McConaty Funeral Home, Aurora.