CHARLESTON - Frances "Fran" Selle Harper, 86, died at 1:25 p.m. Jan. 8, 2005, at the Gideon Care Center in Gideon.
Born May 23, 1918, in Chicago, daughter of the late Walter and Mabel Urquhart Selle, she lived in Charleston since 1945, where she was a member of the United Methodist Church and taught the Kindergarten Sunday school class for 25 years. Active in civic affairs, she was a charter member of the Junior Study Club, Boy and Girl Scout leader and was instrumental in founding the annual Dogwood-Azalea Festival. She had been a copy writer for the R.R. Donnelly Publishing Co. in Chicago and worked in the Hearnes Elementary School Art Department for seven years.
On March 31, 1945, she married Norman Lee Harper who preceded her in death on Feb. 8, 1992.
Survivors include: two sons and daughters-in-law, Robert Lee and Georgia Harper of Vancouver, Wash., and William Charles and Janet Harper of Canton, Ga.; one daughter and son-in-law, Patricia Kay and James Sons of Sarasota, Fla.; nine grandchildren, Elizabeth Harper, Peter Harper, Ed Schultz, Don Schultz, John Sons, Jamie Sons, Jeff Sons and Jimmy Sons; and two great-grandchhildren.
One brother and three sisters also preceded her in death.
Visitation is from 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at McMikle Funeral Home.
Services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Wednesday at the United Methodist Church with the Rev. Roger Jespersen, pastor, officiating.
Burial will follow in the IOOF Cemetery near Charleston.
Pallbearers will be: Reginald Young, Scott Lubeck, Donald Schultz, Edward Schultz, Lee Goodin and Neal Day.
Honorary pallbearers will be: Norbert Rolwing, Hunter Rolwing, John Schofield, Don Moxley, Wallace Reeves and Jim Jones.