Frances M. Berner Finch

She was born on August 9, 1928 in Oneonta, a daughter of the late Lloyd J. and Lillian F. (Moffatt) Berner. Frances married Martin L. Finch and they celebrated over 50 years together until his passing in November of 2009.

Frances attended Oneonta schools, first going to the Bugbee School and then moving up to Oneonta High School, from which she graduated in 1946. She then attended the State Teacher’s College of Oneonta, where she graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree. In her early years, Frances was a member of the Main Street Baptist Church.

Frances loved music, learning to play the piano at a very young age. She also played the violin and guitar when she was in her 20s, playing in country bands and sometimes on the radio. She also enjoyed going for walks in the woods and hunting for flowers, anything that would keep her in the great outdoors.

She is survived by her son, Dana Finch; her daughter, Marta Crouch and her husband, Dave; her grandchildren, Michelle Perez, Amanda Finch, Ashley Perry, Scott Finch, Tom Crouch, and Allison Crouch; 10 great grandchildren; her sister, Barbara Neff, and several nieces and nephews.

Frances was predeceased by her sister, Marian Ross.

A funeral service will be held at 2pm on Saturday, January 9, 2016 at the Bookhout Funeral Home, 357 Main Street, Oneonta, with the Rev. Gary Bonebrake, Pastor of the Main Street Baptist Church, officiating. Interment will be in the spring in the Oneonta Plains Cemetery, at the convenience of her family.