Sara Francis
Sara Ruth Francis, 90, of Chenoa, passed away at 11:40 a.m., Sep. 10, with her family by her side at OSF St. Joseph Medical Center.
Her funeral will be held at 10:00 a.m., Tuesday at Trinity Lutheran Church, Chenoa. Pastor Edward Huddelson will be officiating.
Burial will be Memorial Park Cemetery, Pontiac.
Visitation will be from 4-7:00 p.m., Monday at Duffy-Pils Memorial Home, Chenoa, and one hour prior to services on Tuesday at the church.
In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorials be directed to Trinity Lutheran Church, Pontiac Public Library and Chenoa Public Library.
Sara was born Aug. 13, 1925 in Pontiac, the daughter of John and Sadie Hammond Roesler.
She married Joseph W. Francis, Jr, on Aug. 11, 1946. He passed away on Jan. 9, 2011.
Surviving are her children, Ann Francis, Sanford, Fla.; J. Randy (Kathy) Francis, Chenoa, and Fae (Mike) Morris, LeRoy; four grandchildren; Carly and Colin Francis, Miles (Randi) Morris, & Mariah Morris; one brother, John (Mollie) Roesler of Peoria.
Sara’s teaching career began in a one room school house in Pike Township. She then farmed with her husband and raised three children. While raising her children Sara returned to Illinois State University and graduated with a BA in education.
After receiving her degree Sara taught at Washington School in Pontiac, retiring in 1987. Upon retiring she worked in the children’s room at Pontiac Public Library. She volunteered as a storyteller at Pontiac Library and Pontiac First Night Celebrations and Stepping Stones Preschool, Chenoa.
Sara loved her cats, quilting, gardening, walking in Humiston Woods identifying wildflowers and bird watching.
Sara truly loved children’s books that embellished her role as a story teller. People will remember her fondly as Pontiac Public Library’s “Mother Goose”.
She will be greatly missed by her family, friends, and all who knew her.
Condolences and tributes may be made to the family at www.duffypilsmemorialhome.com.
