NORTH VERNON

Frances Marie Graper, 84, of North Vernon, passed away at 10:20 p.m. on Wednesday, February 22, 2023, at her residence.

Born October 9, 1938, in North Vernon, she was the daughter of the late Walter Francis and Agatha Grace (Biehle) Poer. She married Donald Graper on May 11, 1958, at the First Christian Church in North Vernon; he preceded her in death on February 13, 2022.

Frances graduated from Vernon High School and worked as a Qualified Medical Assistant at the former Muscatatuck State Developmental Center for 39 years before retiring in 2001. She loved roller coasters; camping; her birds, Frances, Donald, and Leo; crossword puzzles; cross stitch; cooking; and spending time with her family. Above all else, Frances loved serving the Lord; she was baptized in the River Jordan in Israel and was a member of the First Christian Church in North Vernon where she was involved in everything.

She is survived by her daughters, Karen (Robert Sr.) Brooks of North Vernon and Cynthia Murray of Seymour; brother, Walter “Gene” Poer Jr. of North Vernon; grandchildren, Tim (Tae) Graper of Texas, Antonio (Morgan) Terranova III, Autumn (James) Hood, and Amanda Moore, all of North Vernon, Cassandra Hughes and Tabitha Palmer, both of Missouri, and Robert Brooks Jr. of Shelbyville; twenty eight great grandchildren; and one great-great grandchild.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; son, Timothy Graper; daughter, Melissa Sampson; grandson, Robert Palmer; two great grandchildren; and siblings, Virgil Poer, Harold Poer, James “Peanut” Poer, and Faye Pendleton.

A funeral service for Frances will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 2, 2023, at Dove-Sharp &Rudicel Funeral Home and Cremation Services in North Vernon. Visitation will be held at the funeral home on Wednesday, March 1, 2023, from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. and one hour prior to the service on Thursday. Burial will be in the Vernon Cemetery in Vernon.

Memorials may be made in honor of Frances through the funeral home for expenses.