Frances Pauline Clifton

Frances Pauline (Mitchell) Clifton, 89, of Monticello, a respected past teacher in the Rush County School Systems, was called home to be with the Lord at 12:33am, on Saturday, August 1, 2015. She was born on February 14, 1926, to the late Marion Paul and Gertrude Anna (Rowen) Mitchell, in Battle Ground, Indiana. Frances was raised on a farm with eight siblings during the economic upheaval of the Great Depression. From a young age, she learned the importance of God, family and hard work. Her childhood memories included tending to the chickens, hogs, cattle, picking berries and melons from the truck patch, and modeling with her siblings in publications of the Farm Bureau Magazine. Frances graduated from Battle Grounds High School in 1944. She earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Science at Purdue University, where she met the love of her life, Harold “Bud” Clarence Clifton, Jr., to whom she was united in marriage on June 26, 1948. They bought a farm in Rushville and were blessed with two daughters, Candyce and Mary Fran. After Bud’s sudden passing, Fran continued her studies at Ball State in Education; earning her Master’s Degree in 1973. Mrs. Clifton proudly dedicated 26 years of service teaching kindergarten, Home Economics, Science, and 5th Grade at the Rushville Consolidated Schools and honorably retired in the 80’s. A true definition of a selfless, intelligent and inspirational leader, she attended the Monticello Methodist Church, Rushville Presbyterian Church, and Rushville Christian Church. Her memberships included Tri Kappa, Fortnightly, Red Hat Society, Bridge Club, and served as past secretary for the Indiana Women Educators. She was a talented cook and even famous for making homemade noodles. In her spare time, she liked to play card games, sew and quilt. Above all, Frances thoroughly enjoyed spending time with loved ones, entertaining crowds by hosting gatherings and preparing meals. She once said, “The more we get together the happier you’ll be.” Along with her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by her siblings, Jean Warner, David Mitchell, Floyd Mitchell and Jessie Mitchell; grandchildren, Anna and Joseph Krumwiede; brother-in-law, Jack Weekley and sister-in-laws, Shirley and Mary Mitchell. Survivors include her daughters, Candyce Louise Krumwiede (husband, David) of Johns Island, South Carolina and Mary Fran Hadley (husband, Dean) of Monrovia; siblings, Marjorie Heman (husband, Don) of Battle Ground, Carol Crooksten (husband, Donald) of Muncie, Ruth Weekley of Wabash and Phillip Mitchell (wife, Nancy) of Milroy; Oveta Mitchell of Lafayette; grandchildren, Laura Scott (husband, Emerson) of Stillwater, Minnesota, Erin Ennis (husband, Adam) of Monrovia, Rachel Wegner (husband, Logan) of Brazil, Sara Hadley of Monrovia and Colleen Hadley of Monrovia; great grandchildren, Ainsley Scott, Easton and Abel Ennis. The funeral service will begin at 1pm, on Wednesday, August 5, 2015, at Moster Mortuary in Rushville, with visitation held from 11am. Entombment will immediately follow the service in the East Hill Shrine Mausoleum, Rushville. Phil Mitchell will preside. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Harold and Frances Clifton Scholarship Fund, 117 N. Main Street, Rushville.

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Frances Pauline Clifton

February 14, 1926 - August 1, 2015