Aurora, IL resident, Frances Elizabeth Martin Sheffer, age 83, passed away peacefully on January 1, 2022 surrounded by the love and prayers of family and friends. She was born on April 29, 1938 in Litchfield, IL to Fred and Margaret (Baker) Martin. After graduation from Oregon Community High School with honors in 1956, she attended Moser Business College in Chicago, graduating in 1958. Fran spent many years working in the legal, accounting, administrative and political fields throughout central and northern Illinois.
Frances initially married at First United Methodist Church Chapel in the Sky in 1959. In 1978 she married again at Westminster Presbyterian Church Aurora. She is survived by two sons, Scott (Cindy) Kuntzelman, Concord, NC; Stuart (Jennifer) Kuntzelman, Juda, WI; sister Beverly (Michael) Mason, Glen Ellyn, IL; stepchildren Sarr (Susan) Sheffer, Vermont; Sherilyn (Doug) Gould, Lawrenceville, NJ; Sarana (Mark) Rogers, Kirbyille, MO; and Stewart Sheffer, Marshfield, MO; grandsons Ryan Kuntzelman and Wade Kuntzelman, Nick (Lauren) Vicari, Josiah Gould, granddaughters Geniva (Bill) Martin, Karinne (Pratik) Patel, Katie (Justin) Weitzel, Kristin Sheffer, and numerous great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Frances was preceded in death by husband Cloyde B. (Jim) Sheffer, her parents, four brothers (Bradley, Jeffrey, Gregory, and Douglas), stepson Steven Sheffer, aunts and uncles, and cousins.
She had a lifelong love for live theatre and through the years had season tickets to various venues, including Drury Lane and First Folio Theatres in Oak Brook; Paramount Theatre in Aurora; Philip Lynch Theatre in Romeoville; Theatre of Western Springs; Fine Arts Centre, Albright Community Theatre, and Fermilab Theatres in Batavia; Steel Beam Theatre and Mainstage Theatre at Pheasant Run Resort in St. Charles; Music Theatre Works in Evanston; and Fireside Theatre in Ft. Atkinson, WI. She also attended area high school and college productions and an occasional production at other venues in northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin. While living in Belvidere, IL she spent two years dressing the sets for the now shuttered Shady Lane Theatre in Marengo, IL.
Frances was a member of Village Bible Church in Aurora, serving in various capacities since 2006, including Prayer Chain coordinator. She previously attended Grace Church of DuPage in Warrenville and Westminster Presbyterian Church in Aurora. She was also a member of the Heart Sisters group that provides information to individuals suffering from heart disease.
Fran had a strong faith in the Lord’s timing for every good and perfect gift––and a tough resolve to make it through Christmas and to the New Year. To that end, Fran lived a miraculous 33 days after stopping dialysis on Nov 28; cause of death was kidney and heart disease along with complications from Covid 19.
Frances is to be cremated and buried next to her husband in the Riverside Cemetery, Montgomery, IL. It is requested that donations be made to Village Bible Church of Aurora, Aurora Campus or choice of charity in lieu of flowers. All arrangements are under the direction of the Dieterle Memorial Home, 1120 South Broadway, Montgomery, IL 60538.
A memorial service will be held Saturday, April 9, 2022 at 11:00am, Village Bible Church of Aurora, 1401 W. Galena Ave, Aurora IL 60506. If you would like to view a livestream of the service, the church is providing a link to view the service virtually from home: https://boxcast.tv/view/memorial-service-for-frances-martin-sheffer-465290