Frances E. "Fran" Dion

Frances "Fran" Dion, 79, of Escanaba, passed away Thursday morning, January 8, 2026, at Bishop Noa Home.
Fran was born on August 4, 1946 in Tri Mountain, MI, daughter to Peter and Arlene (Hoar) Stimac. She graduated from Painesdale-Jeffers High School in 1964.
On May 14, 1994, the former Frances Stimac married John Henry Dion Jr. at the Elks Lodge in Escanaba. They shared 18 years together before his passing in December of 2012.
She worked as a bookkeeper at Bink's Coca-Cola from 1975 until her retirement in 2015.
Fran was a very active member of the Elks Auxiliary and was once awarded Lady Elk of the Year.
Among survivors include her children, Earl J. Maynard of Wells and Tammy (Todd Palzewicz) Maynard of Escanaba; grandchildren, Christopher and Zachery Jones and Justin Leask; great-grandchildren, Douglas and Mason; siblings, Thomas (Cheryl) Stimac of Tri Mountain and David (Diana) Stimac of L'Anse; and five nieces and nephews.
Along with her parents, Fran is preceded in death by her husband, John.
Visitation will take place on Wednesday, January 14th from 12:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. at the Crawford Funeral Home, 302 S. 13th St., Escanaba. At the conclusion of the visitation at 2:30 p.m., shared remembrances and a closing prayer will take place.
A message of condolence may be directed to the family by visiting www.crawfordfuneralhomes.net. The Crawford Funeral Homes are assisting the family.