Mary Ellen Francis, 97, of Paris, Illinois, passed away at 10:36 p.m. Friday, December 24, 2021, at her residence. She was a devoted homemaker, a waitress in her younger years, and had co-managed the former Benchmark Ballroom with her husband Dale.
She was born November 28, 1924, in Paris, the daughter of the late Claude and Ethel (Bales) Ashley, Sr. She married Dale E. Francis on September 9, 1950. He preceded her in death on June 30, 2012.
Mrs. Francis was a member of First United Methodist Church of Paris where she remained active for many years. She was very dedicated to and supportive of her husband, but she also prided herself in being an independent thinker who was not without her own opinions. Mary Ellen and Dale loved road trips, especially long ones, and enjoyed traveling to many of his 100th Bomb Group functions throughout the years. Mary Ellen was a wonderful champion and ambassador for her Paris community. She and Dale shared their love of dancing by implementing the weekly Music in the Park program during his time as mayor. She was also an avid reader and loved flowers. She was devoted to her grandkids and great-grandkids and affectionately referred to them as her "kids."
She was preceded in death by three brothers, Carl Ashley, Claude Ashley, Jr., and Max Ashley; two sisters, Erma Craig and Fern McCarty; and an infant sister.
Burial -- Edgar Cemetery.
She was born November 28, 1924, in Paris, the daughter of the late Claude and Ethel (Bales) Ashley, Sr. She married Dale E. Francis on September 9, 1950. He preceded her in death on June 30, 2012.
Mrs. Francis was a member of First United Methodist Church of Paris where she remained active for many years. She was very dedicated to and supportive of her husband, but she also prided herself in being an independent thinker who was not without her own opinions. Mary Ellen and Dale loved road trips, especially long ones, and enjoyed traveling to many of his 100th Bomb Group functions throughout the years. Mary Ellen was a wonderful champion and ambassador for her Paris community. She and Dale shared their love of dancing by implementing the weekly Music in the Park program during his time as mayor. She was also an avid reader and loved flowers. She was devoted to her grandkids and great-grandkids and affectionately referred to them as her "kids."
She was preceded in death by three brothers, Carl Ashley, Claude Ashley, Jr., and Max Ashley; two sisters, Erma Craig and Fern McCarty; and an infant sister.
Burial -- Edgar Cemetery.
Mary Ellen Francis, 97, of Paris, Illinois, passed away at 10:36 p.m. Friday, December 24, 2021, at her residence. She was a devoted homemaker, a waitress in her younger years, and had co-managed the former Benchmark Ballroom with her husband Dale.
She was born November 28, 1924, in Paris, the daughter of the late Claude and Ethel (Bales) Ashley, Sr. She married Dale E. Francis on September 9, 1950. He preceded her in death on June 30, 2012.
Mrs. Francis was a member of First United Methodist Church of Paris where she remained active for many years. She was very dedicated to and supportive of her husband, but she also prided herself in being an independent thinker who was not without her own opinions. Mary Ellen and Dale loved road trips, especially long ones, and enjoyed traveling to many of his 100th Bomb Group functions throughout the years. Mary Ellen was a wonderful champion and ambassador for her Paris community. She and Dale shared their love of dancing by implementing the weekly Music in the Park program during his time as mayor. She was also an avid reader and loved flowers. She was devoted to her grandkids and great-grandkids and affectionately referred to them as her "kids."
She was preceded in death by three brothers, Carl Ashley, Claude Ashley, Jr., and Max Ashley; two sisters, Erma Craig and Fern McCarty; and an infant sister.
Burial -- Edgar Cemetery.
She was born November 28, 1924, in Paris, the daughter of the late Claude and Ethel (Bales) Ashley, Sr. She married Dale E. Francis on September 9, 1950. He preceded her in death on June 30, 2012.
Mrs. Francis was a member of First United Methodist Church of Paris where she remained active for many years. She was very dedicated to and supportive of her husband, but she also prided herself in being an independent thinker who was not without her own opinions. Mary Ellen and Dale loved road trips, especially long ones, and enjoyed traveling to many of his 100th Bomb Group functions throughout the years. Mary Ellen was a wonderful champion and ambassador for her Paris community. She and Dale shared their love of dancing by implementing the weekly Music in the Park program during his time as mayor. She was also an avid reader and loved flowers. She was devoted to her grandkids and great-grandkids and affectionately referred to them as her "kids."
She was preceded in death by three brothers, Carl Ashley, Claude Ashley, Jr., and Max Ashley; two sisters, Erma Craig and Fern McCarty; and an infant sister.
Burial -- Edgar Cemetery.
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