Mary Frances Ballou, 86, Chanute, died Wednesday, Jan. 12, 2011 at the Neosho Memorial Regional Medical Center in Chanute.

Frances was born in Bogota, Texas on Jan. 3, 1925, the daughter of John F. and Mary M. Watkins Bartley.

She graduated from Grapevine, Texas High School and attended Brantley-Draughon Business College in Fort Worth.

Frances was united in marriage to Charles N. “Chuck” Ballou, Jr., on Nov. 9, 1944 in Grapevine, Texas at the First Methodist Church. He preceded her in death on July 5, 1998.

She worked as the bookkeeper for the family owned Self Service Grocery and was the treasurer at the First Christian Church in Chanute for 15 years.

She was a member of the First Christian Church, where she served as Deacon and Sunday School Teacher for several years. She was also a member of the CWF Guild, BPW for 39 years, Bridge Club and Holly Mother’s Club.

Frances is survived by a daughter, Betty Stevenson and her husband, Tom, Chanute; a son, Charles Ballou III and his wife, Myrna, Overland Park; three grandchildren, Michelle Gilbert and her husband, Chad, Topeka, Julie Seiler and her husband, Steve, Colby and Ryan Ballou, Overland Park; and four great-grandchildren, Hannah, Halle, Caleb and Caden Seiler.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband Chuck.

Funeral will be held 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 18 at the First Christian Church in Chanute. Burial will be in Neosho County Memorial Park Cemetery on 21st Street.

The family will receive friends on Monday from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the Penwell-Gabel Gibson Chapel in Chanute.

Memorials in her name may be made to the First Christian Church or the First Christian Church Food Pantry and may be left with the funeral home.

To leave a special message for the family on line, visit www.PenwellGabelChanute.com.