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| Fran at the 2007 class reunion, White Pines |
Francine M. Scovel (nee Kitzmiller), 77, of Braceville, IL, passed away Monday, Jan. 16, 2017 at her home.
Born Aug. 12, 1939 in Freeport, IL, she was the daughter of Melvin and Grace (nee Mennenga) Kitzmiller. Francine was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star and the Women of the Moose Lodge #1551 in Mt. Morris, IL.
Surviving are three daughters: Malinda Gentry of Dwight, IL; Lisa (Craig) Adams of Braidwood, IL and Sheila (Dale) Halstead of Mazon, IL; 13 grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren, special friend, James Baker; and one brother, Gregory Kitzmiller.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Arthur Walker Scovel; daughter, Kelly Ann Scovel; grandson, Nick Peddicord and sister, Shirley Otten.
Funeral services will be at the R.W. Patterson Funeral Homes, Ltd. & Crematory, Braidwood Chapel, Friday, Jan. 20, 2017 at 10 a.m. Interment will be in Chapel Hill Memorial Park in Dixon, IL. The visitation will be Thursday, Jan.19, from 4-8 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts in her name may be directed to Braceville Fire Department or Braceville United Methodist Church.
For more information and to visit her online guestbook, log onto www.rwpattersonfuneralhomes.com or find their Facebook page at R.W. Patterson Funeral Homes.
R.W. Patterson Funeral Homes, Ltd. & Crematory, 401 E. Main St., Braidwood is in charge of arrangements.
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Several classmates attended the graveside service in Dixon and had the opportunity to speak to her family. Lynne has prepared some personal remembrances collected from classmates.
LYNNE‘S Reflections: The fun has gone out of life today. The four of us, Priscilla, Fran, Nancy and I, did everything together in school. She was the first of the four to marry, have children and to die...leaving us to scratch our heads in wonderment. I dropped in one Sunday for some of their good coffee to find Fran reading to little Malinda, a Golden Book I had recently given the darling little girl. . . and thinking to myself. . . She IS a good mother, she was probably a “fun” mother, too. I had a “fun” mother. . .what a delight they are! She never took herself seriously as some of us did. She was wonderful fun!!! Damn cancer anyway, on top of her strokes, if that weren't enough... Enough already--rest now...Priscilla often says “old age sucks." Today she is soooo right.....
SALLEY‘S Reflections: Salley remembers that she and Fran were kicked out of the Trinity Lutheran church junior choir for giggling and making fun of something. They were sent to the choir loft that next Sunday at services as punishment. It was hardly punishment. They had more fun up there unsupervised and continued to giggle and have fun, and considered it not much punishment.
DAVE B recalls: Fran and her husband Art attended some of the parties he and his wife Marilyn had. Fran WAS the life of the party. . . many good memories of her. Unforgettable smile and laugh.
MIKE B: Francine was terrific! She didn’t know anyone she didn’t like or didn’t like her. Always smiling and positive. She loved to dance-boogying was her middle name. She was always among the volunteers to decorate a float or for a dance or cheering on the “Mounders.” Her parents were terrific people, too. Very supportive of their 3 kids. Fran was an “honest” personality. She will be missed.
SARA remembers: Franny was her own woman. You had to love her! The song ”We’ll meet again” is going through my head and mind now. I know that is true because of the Promise we have been given. It’s the Between Times- we need to be pondering and cherishing more fully. “We’ll meet again some sunny day”
Norma remembers: My most vivid memories are of us, at my parent’s home on Hannah, after a wedding shower for Fran and her excitement about her love--Art. It was dark and Fran and I were standing outside near a big evergreen. Everyone was talking and she was so sappy in love. I do remember Lynne saying, “She found a winner in Art Scovel.” The next year when Tina K. was visiting we went to see her and her new baby, Malinda! I do treasure those happy memories. She had her health struggles in recent years, but the laugh and smile stayed.”
PRISCILLA remembers: One clear memory is when she and Art lived on W. Front St., near us. I was still single and she was married to such a nice guy (with such a wonderful speaking voice!). She had a tiny baby and I went to her home to visit Fran, Art and her little baby girl. I remember the high school slumber parties, making those pyramids, and the food!...French fries, everyone would bring a potato and the popcorn followed by brownies. Slumber parties--that’s an oxymoron, right? No one slept and Fran’s parents probably didn’t either! She was such fun. I can clearly see her smile and hear her laugh.
Nancy S.: I had no idea she was having problems until hearing the news of Fran’s death. I am sad, very sad. Francine was one to be so positive and always having fun. Her smile I will never forget as she used it often.
Nancy L recalls: For our 50th reunion (2007) Fran and Jim picked me up at O’Hare airport and we got motel rooms in Dixon. When time came to leave for the Pines she was to call my room to let me know she was ready and to meet her at the car. She called 911 instead of my room. The police, the Dixon fire dept and the ambulance showed up at the motel! I tried to tell this story to those attending the reunion but was laughing too hard and every time Fran and I looked at each other we laughed until we cried. I think it was the next day or so that we finally were able to tell the rest of our classmates. That was Fran. She could laugh her way out of just about anything. I remember the time we all hiked to the White Pines park. On the way she and I decided we would pretend to have been hit by a car. With the first aid kit we had, we painted each other with iodine and bandaged each other up. Priscilla and Lynne were to stand by the road and pretend to be crying and wave down passers-by. Fran and I would jump up to show we were not hurt. We thought it funny-those that stopped to help us did not think it as funny. We continued on our hike and that day we walked from Mt. Morris to the Pines and then on to Oregon. We were too worn out to walk home from Oregon and called Fran’s mother for a ride. I wonder to this day how Fran explained the iodine stains on her clothing. I could recall so much more--the evening talks on the Flemings’ picnic table-charting all our hopes and dreams. And watching the Northern Lights for the first time. Over the years we four never lost touch. Oh, we had gaps--all friendships do--but when you truly love someone, time and distance closes when you finally are together. Fran is waiting for the rest of us--and probably waiting for me to plan our next adventure. What an adventure that will be.
Jon M said: I can hear her laughing as I write. She was the FUN in life. She got all she could out of every moment of it. Our Frannie. You go girl!
Sylvia comments: None like her. She will be missed!
Lynne concludes: A number of underclassmen from our school days said some nice things, too. But am limiting this to “Us” and it is so-- “Think where man’s glory most begins and ends and say my glory was I had such friends.”- W.B.Yeats
