Francine Kaye Stoepker

Beloved mother, sister, aunt, grandmother, and great-grandmother, she will be lovingly missed by her children David Stoepker Jr., Kenneth Stoepker, Scott (Jennifer) Stoepker, Joel (Lisa) Stoepker; grandchildren Amanda Laney, Tyler (Casey) Laney, Nolan, Jessyca, Wesley, Logan, Sierra, Kendra, Cameron, Savannah, and Sawyer Stoepker; great-grandchildren Levi, Kyla, and Brinley; brothers David (Laurel) Throckmorton and Dr. John (Sandra) Throckmorton; nieces Amy Fangboner, Hillary Huberts, and Dr. Ashley Throckmorton; nephew, Dr. Zachary Throckmorton; special red Labrador named Copper; and many special friends.

Francine Throckmorton was born in Evansville, IN on July 8, 1944. As she recalled many times, she was a wartime baby and did not meet her father, William, until he returned from serving in the European campaign of WWII while she was still a toddler. Fran’s family moved around while she was a youth due to her father’s job. She made many friends from Terre Haute, IN to Lafayette, IN to Grand Rapids, MI where she graduated from Creston High School. She met David Stoepker in Grand Rapids, started a family in the suburbs of Grand Rapids, and eventually the family moved near Duncan Lake in Caledonia. The family finally settled down on a farm in Clarksville, MI in 1971, where she ended up raising a family of four boys. Fran worked for Lakewood Public Schools for 30 plus years as a bus driver, also in the community education department, as inter-school mail courier, custodian, crossing guard and parapro for the special needs bus. Fran loved her peaceful morning coffee and spending time with family and friends was

treasured. Fran was a very straightforward person; however, she will always be remembered for her warm social spirit and kind smile. Fran came to love living in the country on the farm and resided there for most of her life with her Labrador dogs, Boulder and then Copper. She will be dearly missed.

In lieu of flowers and in honor of Francine, contributions may be made to the family, which will be donated to programs of Lakewood Public Schools. The family welcomes memories and messages in their guest book online at www.koopsfc.com for the Stoepker family.