Frances Eileen (Swihart) Umbaugh

July 21, 1924     ~     March 18, 2014     Age 89

ROME CITY — Frances Eileen Umbaugh, age 89, of Rome City, died on Tuesday, March 18, 2014, at Presence Sacred Heart Home in Avilla.

Mrs. Umbaugh was born in Rochester, Indiana, on July 21, 1924, to the late O. Melvin Swihart and Grace (Mourer) Swihart.

She graduated from South Bend Riley High School, attended Earlham College and Ball State University where she received her bachelor's degree. She earned her master's in education degree from Indiana University. She married Monte F. Umbaugh on November 28, 1975, in Kokomo and he preceded her in death on August 21, 2012.
Frances was a school teacher with the Kokomo-Center School system for 41 years before retiring in 1992. Fran was a member of Tri Kappa, Delta Kappa Gamma Sorority, past secretary of the IU Alumni Association of Kokomo, vice president of the Stratton-Porter Memorial Society,member of the Rome City American Legion Post #381, Limberlost Country Club; and St. Gaspar Catholic Church in Rome City.

Survivors include a daughter, Patricia (Gregg) Lucas of Kokomo; five grandchildren, Kurt (Kaitlin) Lucas of Indianapolis; Jennifer (Brandon) Williams of Walton, Indiana; Kent Lucas of Kokomo; Elizabeth (Zach) Brodeur stationed in Germany; and Benjamin Geary of Columbus, Ohio; three great-grandchildren: Mackenzie Hale, Kaylie Williams, and Brody Williams all of Walton, Indiana; son-in-law, Michael Geary of Centerville, Ohio; former husband and father of her children, Jack Link of Kokomo; two sisters, Lois Burke of Lafayette, Indiana, and Annabel Henley of Black Diamond Ranch, Florida; and a
brother, Dale Swihart of St. Louis, Missouri.

She was also preceded in death by her daughter, Jacqueline Link Geary, and her sister, Joan Graham.

Mass of Christian Burial will be Friday, March 21, 2014, at 11 a.m. at St. Gaspar del Bufalo Catholic Church, Rome City, with visitation one hour before Mass at the church. Officiating the funeral Mass will be Father Bernard Ramenaden. Burial will be at St. Gaspar Catholic Cemetery.

Preferred memorials are to the American Cancer Society.
Hite Funeral Home in Kendallville is in charge of arrangements.

Send a condolence to the family at www.hitefuneralhome.com

Published by KPCNews on Mar. 20, 2014.

03.22.2023 djb