Search by Name

Margaret "Peg" Francis

1922 - 2018

BORN

1922

DIED

2018

Margaret Francis Obituary

Margaret "Peg" Francis 1922—2018
Margaret "Peg" Francis passed away April 29, 2018. Born near White Lake, Wisconsin on February 1, 1922, to Cleo Gertrude VanHorn Finger and Ernest Otto Finger, the second of seven children. On December 25, 1943, she married Donald Francis, a few days before he shipped out in the Navy. Together they raised a family, David Joseph (deceased), Joan Leslie (Gays Mills), Steven Paul (deceased) and Ruth Ann (married to Jim Puralewski, in Dodgeville). Don Francis died in 2012. After the war, Peg and Don lived in many towns throughout the Midwest, including Oakfield, Hebron, Footville, and Algoma, Wisconsin; Brooklyn, Bloomington, and West Lafayette, Indiana; Bloomington, Minnesota; Oregon and Rockford, Illinois. They settled in Rockford, Illinois in 1969. Peg received her Bachelors of Science in Early Childhood Development and Education from Northern Illinois University in 1972. She was head teacher at the NIU Lab School. She directed the Orten Keyes Day Care Center for several years during the 1970's. She worked at DCFS, helping families find the resources they needed to care for their children, from 1979 to 1989. She retired in January 1989, just in time to help out with her new grandchild, Joseph Francis Puralewski (Los Angeles), and doted on her additional grandchildren as they arrived; Jacob Francis Puralewski (Chicago), Rachel Francis Puralewski (Madison) and Hannah Francis Puralewski (Dodgeville). Peg and Don loved camping and took a trip south, stopping at Big Bend National Park and Goose Island State Park in Texas, each winter starting in 1990. In addition to helping people throughout her working career, Peg was an active member of Christ United Methodist Church, and volunteer within the community. She and Don were co-founders and coordinators of the HoneyPot Food Buying Co-op, starting in the late 1970's. She loved gardening and helped other gardeners through the U of I Extension Master Gardeners Program. She volunteered for the Northern Illinois Blood Donors, encouraging others to give blood. Before she moved to Wesley Willows, she and Don were regular volunteers, coming on Thursdays, to help the less mobile people there get to appointments.
Peg's life will be celebrated at a Memorial Service at the chapel at Wesley Willows, 4141 N Rockton Ave, Rockford, IL, at noon Saturday, May 19, 2018. Memorials may be sent in care of Ruth Ann Francis, 5680 Griffiths Rd, Dodgeville, WI 53533.

Published by Rockford Register Star from May 16 to May 18, 2018.
34465541-95D0-45B0-BEEB-B9E0361A315A

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Memories and Condolences
for Margaret Francis

Not sure what to say?





1 Entry

Jodell Gabriel (Lofgren)

May 17, 2018

Showing 1 - 1 of 1 results

Make a Donation
in Margaret Francis's name

Memorial Events
for Margaret Francis

May

19

Memorial service

12:00 p.m.

Chapel at Wesley Willows

4141 N Rockton Ave., Rockford, IL

How to support Margaret's loved ones
Commemorate a cherished Veteran with a special tribute of Taps at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.

The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.

Read more
Attending a Funeral: What to Know

You have funeral questions, we have answers.

Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?

What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?

Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?

We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.

Read more
Resources to help you cope with loss
How to Write an Obituary

Need help writing an obituary? Here's a step-by-step guide...

Read more
Estate Settlement Guide

If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.

Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast

Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.

Read more
The Five Stages of Grief

They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.

Read more
Ways to honor Margaret Francis's life and legacy
How to Write an Obituary

Need help writing an obituary? Here's a step-by-step guide...

Read more
Obituary Templates

These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.

Read more
Obituary Examples

You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.

Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?

Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.

Read more