Grace Francois

Grace Marie Francois

Age 88 of Gardner, passed away Monday March 16, 2009 at OSF Saint Francis Medical Center in Peoria.

Born October 18, 1920 in Whiting, Indiana, Grace was a daughter of the late: John and Catherine Wisneski-Mack. She moved with her family to Braceville when she was in the seventh grade and lived in the Braceville and Mazon areas for the remainder of her life. In her free time Grace enjoyed playing cards and spending time with her family at "The Rancho".

Survivors include four children: Jeanette (Monte) Payton of Iowa, Barbara (the late Joseph) Nowman of Diamond, Linda (the late Darrell) Dunning of South Wilmington and Martha (Carroll) Bivens of Gardner. Five step children: Richard Francois of Lebanon, Indiana, Sheila Nicholson of Verona, Doug Francois of Wilmington, Dennis (Denna) Francois of Dwight and Pam (Tim) Szepelak of Morris. (12) Grandchildren: Kim Payton of Joliet, Chad (Michelle) Payton of Tennessee, Steve (his companion a�" Lisa) Debelak of Joliet, Walter (Carina) Debelak of South Wilmington, Eric (Shelia) Debelak of Wilmington, Regina (Dryl) Debelak of Pickering, Canada, Matthew (Jan) Debelak of Godley, Bill (Denise) Hutton of Cornale, James (Melissa) Dunning of Kinsman, Jason (his fiancAC. - Ellen) Dunning of Indiana, Jeanette Bivens of South Wilmington and Laura (her fiancAC. a�" Matt) Bivens of Urbana; (12) step grandchildren: Debra Spesia of Minooka, Dawn Francois of Morris, Brent (Lynn) Nicholson of Mazon, Scott Francois of Indiana, Jason Francois, Jeff Francois of Dwight, Kerri Francois of California and Danielle (Mark) Matney, Craig Francois, Renee Garmon, Courtney Garmon and Kristen Garmon all of Morris; numerous great grandchildren and step great grandchildren; Her daughter-in-law Vicki Hutton of Pontiac; three brothers and four sisters: Christine Housman of Braidwood, Anna (Thomas) Hillis of Wilmington, Charlotte Fatlan of Braceville, Robert (Delores) Mack of Gardner, Martin (Vivian) Mack of Wilmington, Jenny (Alan) Zlomie of Wilmington and Melvin (Diane) Mack of Braceville and two sisters-in-law: Irene Mack and Geri Mack, both of Coal City, as well as many nieces, nephew and cousins.

Grace was preceded in death by her parents, first husband Wilbur Hutton, whom she married on December 14, 1938; second husband Theophile "Phil" Francois, whom she married on October 30, 1982; one son Bill Hutton, three grandchildren: Monte Payton, Jr., Scott Payton and Todd Hutton; four brothers: John, Kenneth, Earl and Carl Mack and one sister Catherine Flynn.

Visitation and Video Tribute will be held on Thursday March 19, 2009 between the hours of 4:00PM and 8:00PM at Reeves Funeral Home, 203 Liberty Street in downtown Gardner.

Funeral services will follow on Friday March 20th at 10:00AM in the funeral home with Dr. Thomas Logsdon from the Coal City United Methodist Church in Coal City officiating.

Burial will be in Braceville-Gardner Cemetery and Grace's grandchildren will act as pallbearers.

Preferred memorials may be made as gifts in Grace's memory to her family for distribution to local charities of their choice.

Friends may sign the online guest book or send private condolences to the family by logging onto: www.ReevesFuneral.com

Funeral services and arrangements are under the direction of Reeves Funeral Homes, Ltd. in Gardner. (815/237-2526)