Frances M Bolles

Frances May Bolles, age 94, of LaPorte, Indiana, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, March 17, 2026, at her home, surrounded by the love and presence of her family.

Born on January 23, 1932, in LaPorte to the late Bert Shippee and Helen Tappan Shippee, Frances was a lifelong member of the community she cherished. She graduated from LaPorte High School in 1950, carrying with her the values of hard work, devotion, and kindness that would define her life. On August 4, 1951, she married the love of her life, William Bolles, beginning a partnership grounded in enduring love and shared purpose. He preceded her in death.

Frances devoted her life wholeheartedly to her family. As a homemaker, she created a home filled with warmth, care, and unwavering support, nurturing not only her children but also her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, who were the pride and joy of her life. Her love was expressed in countless quiet ways—through her presence, her care, and the traditions she passed down through generations.

A woman of many talents and simple joys, Frances was an avid crafter known for her beautifully handmade corn husk dolls, which she proudly shared at local craft shows. She especially cherished time spent creating crafts and making puppets with her grandchildren, leaving them with treasured memories of creativity and laughter. A devoted and spirited fan, she loved cheering on the Chicago Cubs. In her earlier years, she faithfully served as a Den Mother with the Cub Scouts, generously giving her time and guidance to young boys, including her own sons.

Frances also found great joy in the outdoors. She enjoyed camping with her beloved husband and took pride in caring for her home, even mowing her own lawn well into her 90s while riding her John Deere tractor—a testament to her independence and vitality. Blessed with a keen memory, she delighted in sharing vivid stories of her childhood, recalling life during the Great Depression and the special bond she shared with her sisters.

Never one to shy away from hard work, she also spent years as both a house painter and barn painter—reflecting her strength, determination, and resilience. Above all else, Frances will be remembered as a loving and devoted mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother whose legacy lives on in the lives she shaped and the love she so freely gave.

She is lovingly survived by her children: daughter, Pamela Tincher (David); sons Douglas Bolles (Linda) and Kirk Bolles; her grandchildren, Jason Tincher (Lyndsay), Jeffrey Tincher (Christina), Adam Bolles (Rocco Napolitano), Alex Bolles (Katalin), Katie Bolles (Zach Weibl), Abraham Bolles, and Jesse Bolles; four cherished great-grandchildren, Abigail Tincher, Eleanor Tincher, Elliott Tincher and Gemma Tincher; special niece, Connie Conjalka (Charles); and many beloved grand animals and great grand animals.

In addition to her parents and her beloved husband, Frances was preceded in death by her sisters, Shirley Maxey and Jane Lindorg Wickstrom; and her beloved cat, Teddy.

A celebration of Frances’s life will be held on Saturday, March 28, 2026, from 3:00-700 PM at Haverstock Funeral Home & Cremation Services. Burial at Heckman Cemetery will be private.

Frances’s life was a beautiful reflection of love, resilience, and quiet strength—a legacy that will be treasured by all who knew her.