Frances Elaine Church-Pratt, 67, of Shelbyville, died Saturday, Oct. 24, at Spectrum Health Butterworth Hospital in Grand Rapids.Born May 15, 1953, in Allegan, she was the daughter of the late Rev. Lewis White Eagle and Gladys (Mamagona) Church and the wife of Paul (Tom) Pratt. Fran was a loyal and faithful member of the Salem Indian United Methodist Mission and a respected elder in the Match-E-Be-Nash-She-Wish Band of Pottawatomi Indians (Gun Lake Tribe) of Michigan.
She was a leader, grandmother, mother, devoted wife, sister, auntie, cousin, friend, cheerleader, encourager, and so many things wrapped together. In recent years, she faced challenges with her health, but still found ways to enjoy the blessings of music with friends.
Though she had ongoing requirements for medical care, she still found ways to safely participate in family and community events and was able to stay well connected through her smart phone. She was always on the move but found time to keep up with current events and rediscover TV channels featuring black and white classics where she was catching up on episodes of “Gunsmoke.”
Along with her husband, Tom, Fran is survived by her children, Tim (Cheryl) Brenner, Ben (Stacy) Brenner and Nathan Brenner; her grandchildren, Kara Brenner (deceased), Taylor Brenner, Nicholas Brenner, Grace Brenner, Isabelle Brenner, Olivia Brenner and Claire Brenner; her siblings, Robert (Liane) Church, William (Cheryl) Church and Richard (Mary) Church; as well as many nieces and nephews.
The family will receive friends at the Hopkins Community Church from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 28, and Thursday, Oct. 29, from 10 a.m. to noon. A private service and interment for her immediate family will take place at the Bradley Indian Mission Cemetery.
Memorial donations may be made in Fran’s name to the Salem Indian Mission, 3644 28th Street, Hopkins, MI 49328.