Frances A. Martin

FREEPORT – Frances A. Martin, 86, of Freeport, died Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2012, at Provena St. Joseph Center in Freeport.

Frances was born April 23, 1925, in Dixon, the daughter of Otto W. and Ollie B. (Huyett) Kreger. She graduated from Amboy High School in the class of 1942. Frances married Tommy G. Martin on June 9, 1947. He preceded her in death on July 7, 1967.

She worked at Kable Printing Company in Mount Morris for 25-plus years until the strike. She then moved to Virginia Beach for 2 1/2 years. She then moved back to the area and worked for Woods of Hesston for 12 years, retiring in 1993. Frances moved to Freeport in 2002. She enjoyed bowling in her younger days. She also enjoyed embroidering, golfing, crocheting and reading. She was a big fan of NASCAR and camping. Nothing gave her more pleasure than being with family and great-grandchildren.

She is survived by one daughter, Terri (Rich Schmidt) Shellhause of Elizabeth; three grandchildren, Angelia (Bob) Green of Wheaton, Christi (Shawn Robertson) Thyberg of Lena and Kevin (Ashley Loomis) Shellhause of Forreston; and five great-grandchildren who called her “Gigi,” Anna and Paige Green of Wheaton, Hunter and Wyett Thyberg of Lena and Jakob Scott Shellhause of Forreston.

She also was preceded in death by her parents; a son in infancy; brother, LeRoy Kreger; and sister, Helen Duffy.

Visitation will be from 10 to 11 a.m., followed by the funeral at 11 a.m., Saturday at Finch Funeral Home, 405 E. Hitt St., Mount Morris, with the Rev. Jim Brown officiating. Burial will be at Chapel Hill Memorial Park in Dixon.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the National Kidney Foundation.