Frances J. Piper

OHIO - Frances Piper, age 88, of Ohio, passed away on Sunday May 5, 2024, at Allure in Walnut, IL. Fran was born to Andrew and Kathryn Byvik of Ladd on February 2, 1936. She was a graduate of Ladd Community Consolidated School and Hall High School class of 1954.

Even from an early age, Fran was determined to do things on her own terms. When she was younger, her parents told her she wasn’t allowed to work at their grocery store. In response, she gave them an ultimatum: a job at Byvik’s Grocery or she would leave and become a flight attendant. By high school she was working behind the counter.

She met her husband William “Bill” Piper on a blind date set up by Sally Donovan in 1953. They were married almost a year later on October 23, 1954. Together they were blessed with ten children, which made for a full house. Both Fran and Bill maintained the role of loving parents to all of their children. She wasn’t afraid to stand her ground when needed, as her late husband, children, and grandkids knew all too well. Along with being a full time mother, she also worked as a teller at the Van Orin Bank, as Ohio city clerk, and a school bus driver for the Ohio School District.

Throughout her life, Fran faced many times of adversity. After losing both her eldest daughter and her husband, many people would have shut down. Instead, Fran kept going, fueled by the love for her children and family around her. She is a testament to the fact that women are resilient and can overcome anything.

During her later years she enjoyed taking on the role of grandma, becoming an avid fan of her many grandchildren in their sports and extracurricular activities. Whenever there was an event, Fran, known fondly as “Frantastic”, made sure she was in the stands cheering them on. Her house was the hub for many holiday gatherings, from ruthless Easter Egg Hunts to the annual Christmas gift exchange. Many memories were made just simply sitting on her porch, watching her grandkids play or greeting neighbors as they passed.

In 2017, when asked what advice she would give to her children and grandchildren, Fran said: “Just get along, just be peaceful. It's so much easier to agree. If you don’t agree, just do it anyway. I think ‘why do families do that?’ they just break apart. It’s just so much nicer when you do agree and all get along.”

She is preceded in death by her husband William Piper, brother, Richard Byvik, daughter Lori Piper and grandchild Hannah Piper. She is survived by her brother Charles (Terry) Byvik of Alexandria, VA, children Dave (Tracy) Piper of Ohio, IL, Diane Miles of San Antonio, TX, Danny (Sharon) Piper of Joliet, IL, Linda (Jim) Grady of Amboy, IL, Jeff (Terry) Piper of Princeton, IL, Doug (Roxy) Piper of Manlius, IL, Mary (Mark) Scheri of Spring Valley, IL, Susie (Larry) Davisson of Plano, TX, and Brian(Makesia) Piper of Arlington, TX, and numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren. Special thanks to her neighbor, Pam Rogers for all she did for her.

Visitation will be on Friday May. 10, 2024, from 9:00AM until 10:30AM at Immaculate Conception Church in Ohio. Funeral mass will follow at 10:30 AM. Burial will follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Ohio. In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to the Ohio Fire Department, the Ohio Library, and St. Mary’s Cemetery.

Online condolences may be made at www.garlandfuneralhomes.com

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