Frances Ann Wilson

EAST PEORIA ~ On the beautiful sunny day of Thursday, March 28, 2024, in her favorite season of Spring with the bluebirds flying outside her sunroom windows, Frances Ann (Jefford) Wilson, 90, made her way from this life to her eternal reward safely into the arms of Jesus surrounded by her family. What a celebration it must have been in Heaven reuniting with all those who she loved so dearly that went before her!

Frances was born to the late Harvey and Mary Lou (Seiwell) Jefford on January 20, 1934 in Peoria. On May 5, 1957 she married the love of her life L. Douglas Wilson of Irvine, Kentucky. As she always said, “It was meant to be.” They shared a wonderful life together for 45 years before he left to be with Jesus on October 9, 2002. Frances was also preceded in death by her parents and six siblings, Dorothy Swearingian, Margaret Martin, David Jefford, Janice Lang, Arthur Jefford and Mary Lou Lank.

Surviving are four children, Lori (Rodney) Eccles of Plainfield, Indiana, Timothy Wilson of Morton, Linda (Robert) McEndollar and Lisa (Andrew) Hebert, both of Creve Coeur. Frances is greatly loved by her nine grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren who she absolutely adored. She also leaves behind many nieces and nephews who were dear to her heart.

Frances proudly worked at Caterpillar, Inc. from the time she was 18, until she retired 36 years later. Starting in the mailroom, she worked her way to other positions within the company and retired as an ATEX Staging Operator in Prepress and Production.

She enjoyed working on puzzles, going to auctions, looking for antiques, playing (and winning) games, especially marbles, watching bluebirds from her sunroom, hymns, days of sunshine and most of all, her family.

Frances was a devoted member of the First Free Methodist Church of Peoria and then later the East Peoria Free Methodist Church. More importantly, she was a devoted servant of God. She had a servant’s heart, loved family and friends deeply and prayed for each one daily. Although she was quiet and did not crave attention, Frances was a true inspiration of strength, courage, loyalty and perseverance.

Her funeral service will be at 11 a.m. Friday, April 5, 2024 at Preston-Hanley Funeral Homes & Crematory in Creve Coeur. Pastor John Plunkett and Pastor Daniel Eccles will officiate. Visitation will be from 9:30 to 11 a.m. at the funeral home. Burial will be at Lakeside Cemetery in Pekin.

She will be escorted by her children, grandchildren, Kathryn (Anthony) Maneiro, Jonathan (Kara) Eccles, Daniel (Gwendolyn) Eccles, Tyler (Taylor) Calhoun-McEndollar, Eben (Madeline Fisher) McEndollar, Dakota (Rachel) Wilson, Dallas Wilson, Alexander Hebert and Ava Hebert and great-grandchildren, Bristol Maneiro, Ezra Eccles, Elin Eccles, Autumn Eccles, Tate Calhoun-McEndollar, Theodor Calhoun- McEndollar and Truett Calhoun-McEndollar.

Memorial contributions may be given to the family.

To express condolences online, visit www.preston-hanley.com