Jan. 28, 1920 - Nov. 7, 2009

GRANGER -- Frances Irene Spahn, who resided at The Village at Arborwood in Granger, passed away Saturday, Nov. 7, 2009, at 6:15 p.m. at home with her family at her side. She was 89.

A lifelong resident of the Michiana area, she was born on Jan. 28, 1920, in South Bend to Robert M. and Mary Ann (Biltz) Kuntz. On March 14, 1942, she married Alphonse J. Spahn in Midland, Texas. He passed away in Elkhart in 2007.

Surviving are two sons, Dr. Thomas (Joy) Spahn of Grand Rapids, Mich., and James (Susan) Spahn of Elkhart; one daughter, Kay (David) Londergan of Granger; and five grandchildren, Chris and Zach Spahn of Elkhart, Matt and Kristin Londergan of Granger, as well as Nathan (Julie) Spahn of Rockford, Mich. A great-grandson, Paul Spahn, survives at home with Nathan and Julie. One brother also survives, Robert (Ann) Kuntz Jr. of South Bend.

A son, Paul M. Spahn, precedes Frances in death, as well as her parents.

In accordance to her wishes, Frances has been cremated. A memorial visitation will he held one hour prior to the 11:30 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial on Saturday, Nov. 14, 2009, at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church in Elkhart. The Rev. William "Bill" Sullivan will officiate. Burial of Frances' cremated remains will then take place the following Monday in a private family graveside service in Highland Cemetery in South Bend.

Frances was a 1938 graduate of Riley High School in South Bend and attended two years at Northwestern University in Chicago, receiving an associate's degree in secretarial management. She went on to work as a secretary for many years for several area businesses including the Studebaker plant, the Bendix Corp. and the Veterans Administration. She was a member of St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church, the Rosary Society, the Riley "Lunch Bunch," the Elkhart Bar Auxiliary (an attorney's wife's club) and served as president for the Frontier Club.

In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that memorial contributions be given to the St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church Building Fund, Humane Society of Elkhart County or the Center for Hospice & Palliative Care, South Bend.

Fran's family has lost a wonderful mother and grandmother. She always influenced them through her strong faith in God, her generosity and hospitality and her ability to make friends and family feel loved and cared for.

Billings Funeral Home, 812 Baldwin St., Elkhart, IN 46514 is handling the arrangements. Online condolences may reach the family at www.billingsfuneralhome.com.