Frances E. "Fran" Porter

Frances E. “Fran” Porter, mother and community volunteer, passed away Friday, August 16, 2019, after a brief Illness, at age 97.
Fran was born November 19, 1921 to Frank and Nora Becker of Berrien Center. She attended Eau Claire High School for one year before transferring and graduating from Berrien Springs High School in 1940. She met her future husband, Royal C. “R. C.” Porter in high school. After dating for four years, they were married on November 1, 1940 in Princeton, Illinois by her uncle, Reverend Allen O. “Uncle Ollie” Becker. She and R. C. raised three children: Jeff, Marian and Bob.
She was a lifetime member of the American Legion Auxiliary, serving many terms as president, as well as other committees for more than 70 years. She was also a volunteer at Berrien General Hospital for more than 20 years. Fran served the Berrien Springs Village Council for several years. In her retirement, she enjoyed reading, watching sports (Go Detroit! and Go Notre Dame!) on TV and visiting with close friends and her family.
Fran was preceded in death by her parents; husband of 48 years, Royal C. Porter; daughter and son-in-law, Marian (Donald) Kilgore; sisters and brothers-in-law, Doris (Ken) Briney and Maxine (Jack) Goins; and several nieces and nephews.
She is survived by her sons, Jeff (Mary) of Holland and Bob (Sandy) of Berrien Springs; and five grandchildren: Chris (Karla) Porter, Anne Porter, Nicole Porter, Matt Porter, and Dale Hartman II; two great-grandchildren, Alex Porter and Karissa Porter; and many nephews, nieces, great-nephews and great-nieces.
A Memorial service in Fran’s honor will be held at noon on Friday, September 6, preceded by visitation with the family beginning at 10 a.m. at Allred Funeral Home. Online messages and memories may be shared at www.allredfuneralhome.com.
Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society or to the Alzheimer’s Association.