GRETCHEN R. (ESSIG) FRANCIS

April 27, 1933 - July 8, 2010
OSCEOLA - Gretchen Ruth Francis, 77, of Osceola, passed away Thursday evening in her home. She was born April 27, 1933, in South Bend, to the late William and Grace (Henning) Essig.

On March 19, 1955, in Saint Paul Lutheran Church, she married Robert B. Francis, who died October 18, 2002.

Surviving to cherish her memory are her children, Jennifer Francis of South Bend and Roberta Hyland (Donald) of Hereford, AZ; and son, Craig B. Francis (Ellen) of South Bend; three grandchildren, Katherine and Kyle Pronger, and Terrance Hyland (Kumiko); and one great-grandchild, Joseph Hyland; two brothers, Roland Essig (Judy) of West Bend, WI, and William Essig of Chicago, IL. Mrs. Francis worked several years for Equifax.

She was a graduate of South Bend Central High School.

She was active in the sewing ladies of the church and the O.W.L.S. of St. Peter. Also she was a excellent seamstress and a voracious reader to the last, and practiced with proficiency calligraphy. Gretchen was a devoted mother and believed in tradition in all things.

Visitation will be today from 2 to 6 p.m. in the Welsheimer Family Funeral Home, 521 N. William St. Funeral services will be held at 3 p.m. Monday, July 12, 2010, in Saint Peter Lutheran Church, 437 Dragoon Trail East, Mishawaka, with Pastor Bryan Borger officiating. Friends may also call one hour prior to services in church. Memorial contributions may be made to her church. E-mail condolences may be sent to www.welsheimer.com.

Published by South Bend Tribune on Jul. 11, 2010.

01/19/2023 EJS