Coralyn M. Fransen

Coralyn M. Fransen, 100, of Freeport passed away on May 6, 2023 at Manor Court in Freeport.

Coralyn was born on December 12, 1922 in Red Oak the daughter of Clarence and Frances (Fisher) Jones. She went to Red Oak School till 8th grade and then graduated from Freeport High School in 1940. Later she took several classes at Highland College to supplement her in working. She married LeRoy “Whitey” B. Fransen on July 5, 1941 in Freeport. He preceded her in death on February 23, 2008. They had three children to this union, Nancy, Janet and Ronald. They lived in Cedarville for 20 years and then moved to Freeport. Coralyn assisted the N.W. Telephone Operator and later was assistant Postmistress in Cedarville. After moving to Freeport, she was a Teacher’s Aide for 17 years in the Freeport School District. Most of those years were in the Special Ed Department.

After retiring from the school, she did altering and helped Verna Kintzel in her yarn shop. Needle work of all kinds was her passion. She was also an election judge for Stephenson County for 30 years. She was a member of Laurel Street Community Church and a 50-year member of the Order of Eastern Star.

Coralyn is survived by her three children, Nancy (Johnnie) Kamm of Apple River, Janet (Bill) Barlett of Rockford, Ronald (Sandi) Fransen of Rinelander, WI; five grandchildren, Charles Sturtevant, Jennifer Bartholow, Adam Hallett, Jonathon Hallett, Christopher Fransen; 13 great grandchildren; 12 great-great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, brother, Elwyn Jones and one granddaughter, Kathy Manning.

Visitation will be from 10:00am until time of funeral service at 11:00am on Friday, May 12, 2023 at Burke-Tubbs Funeral Home in Freeport with Chaplain Jeremy Heller, officiating. Burial will follow at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens.

A memorial has been established.