Frances E. Vaughn

Frances E. Vaughn, 97, of Mt. Morris passed away Thursday ( May 8, 2025) at Allure of Pinecrest Memory Care. She was born Dec. 29, 1927 in Desoto, IL to Lee and Carrie Myers McKinney. The family later moved to a farm North of Carbondale known as the Glade School District. There she attended the 1room Glade School. Frances graduated from Carbondale Community High School in 1945. She attended Southern Illinois University for 2 years.

She worked for Prairie Farms Creamery and was active in 4-H and the Rural Youth Group where she met the love of her life, Venus Vaughn ( better known as "Lefty" to all his friends). Lefty and Frances were married on Sept. 7, 1947 in Carbondale, IL. The couple later moved to several cities in Illinois and settled in Oregon. Frances stayed busy with Rural Youth, 4-H, Home Extension and Church centered activities. Her interest continued in Home Extension where she learned many ways to perfect her sewing and cooking skills. She served as president of Home Extension and served on the Home Ec and Ag extension Councils. She worked as a part time employee for the Ogle County Extension service. She volunteered at the Etnyre Middle School and the Ogle County Health Department as a bookkeeper for 10 years. Upon retiring in 1998 she became more active in the Oregon Methodist Church and served in many areas. In her leisure time she enjoyed traveling.She made trips to Southern Illinois to visit family and travelled to Alaska twice, Hawaii, all 48 of the continental states, Ireland, Costa Rica, and Italy.

Her survivors include three children, Janice Olson of Champaign, IL, Patricia (Garth) Thomas of Oregon, Gordon Vaughn of Mt. Morris; granddaughters, Christine Olson (Joshua) Uhl of South Orange, NJ, Anne Olson (James) Bell of Indianapolis, IN, Jennifer Olson (Evan) Parker of New York, NY, Terry (Christopher) Remhof of Byron and Reanna( Chuck) Brant of GA; sisters, Mary Marolda of Las Vegas, NV, Janet (Morris) McDaniel, Grace Herring, all of Carbondale, IL, Karen(Gary)Steele, Colorado Springs, CO, Donna (David) Stull, Debbie(Danny) Piquard, both of Murphysboro, IL; brother, Richard McKinney (Lois), Carterville, IL; sister-in-law: Sarah McKinney of Carterville, IL: brother-in-law: Richard Rushing, of Paducah, KY and ten great-grandchildren and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

The family is very appreciative and owes much gratitude to her caregivers from Allure of Pinecrest Memory Care for the past 5 years. Serenity Hospice was invaluable as she transitioned toward the end of her life.

She was predeceased by husband, Venus; her parents, grandparents; sisters, Bonnie Waller and husband Don of CO, Norma Habbe and husband Ralph of IL, Margaret (Richard) Rushing of KY; brothers, Clancy McKinney and wife Dee of GA, George McKinney of IL; son-in-law, Charles Olson of IL; brothers-in-law, Ron Herring, IL, Frank Marolda of NV; grandson, Andy Vaughn IL and daughter-in-law, Marcia Vaughn of IL.

Visitation will be from 10:00 am to 11:00 am Friday, May 16 at Farrell Holland Gale Funeral Home, Oregon, IL followed by a memorial service commemorating Frances's life led by Pastor Rodney Caldwell. The family has requested memorials be directed to a charity of your choice or any of the following; Serenity Hospice and Home of Oregon, IL or Allure of Pinecrest Memory Care Unit Mt. Morris, IL.

For Donations to Serenity Hospice and Home of Oregon, IL, they can be mailed to 1658 IL Rt. 2 South, Oregon, IL, 61061.

For Donations to Allure of Pinecrest's Memory Care Unit, they can be mailed to 414 S. Wesley Ave. Mt. Morris, IL, 61054.