OBITUARY

Anna Frances “Fran” Huff DeChane

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Anna Frances “Fran” Huff DeChane was born on March 23, 1939 to Walter Nixon Huff and Iva May Minear Huff. She passed into eternal life on September 7, 2021 while recovering from heart surgery.

Frances “Fran” DeChane was born at home in Harwood, Texas. Her family moved to Sharonville, Ohio when she was a child. She learned the printing trade at the knee of her father as he began the Sharonville Press newspaper. She was at the Press until graduation. In July of 1957, she joined the United States Marine Corp where she served honorably for two years. After leaving the Corp, she married and secured a type setting position at the Cincinnati Enquirer. From her first marriage were born three daughters, each with their own strength, that she was extremely proud of and cherished dearly. She was a strong woman that raised strong girls.

In 1969, she moved with her daughters to Michigan. Fran first worked at the Macomb Daily Newspaper and then transferred to the Detroit News where she met and married Richard DeChane. She learned the process and worked with metal type, tape, punch cards, and finally digital in her career as a typographer. 

Fran was a member of the Marine Corp League Detachment #968 and was the only female Marine member of the attachment. She was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, Order of the Eastern Star, Detroit Typographical Union #18, the Communication Workers of America Local #14503, and International Typographical Union.

Fran was always giving of herself, time and talents. She loved helping others and showed that through volunteering at Gleaners Community Food Bank in Michigan and Gonzales Christian Assistance Ministries in Texas. She was a member of Earth Angels Quilt Group where she loved to create quilts and crafts for those in need. Serving on the Harwood Community Center Board allowed her to assist with the projects associated with the upkeep of the center that bears her father’s name on the cornerstone. 

Fran, Frannie, Friend Fran, Aunt Frannie, Miss Fran – no matter what she was called, she never met a stranger. She would share anything she had with anyone in need. “If it’s free, take two” was advice she offered on a regular basis. In her free time, she loved mowing lawns and playing with her cats. She often sat on the porch watching the neighborhood, putzing, or taking apart components of electronics for the copper wire. She was the epitome of recycle and reuse. She was a collector, with the amazing ability to see the worth in things. She loved the uniqueness of the $2.00 bill, which she gifted often to those around her. Fran was a strong willed, independent woman who always found a way to accomplish tasks she was passionate about. She fought for causes she believed in and for the people she loved. 

She is survived by brother Wallace Huff, daughters Renee Fairchild (Ace), Jami Owens (John) and Terri Lawhorn. Grandchildren Randall Eardley (Emily), Ryan Eardley, Thomas Owens (Amber), Joshua Owens, Tyler Owens (Leigh), Evan Owens (Katie), Shenan Owens, Amanda Crossman (Jonathan), and Alyssa Jurzcak. Great grandchildren Ava Jane, Zane, and Isabella Eardley, Emma, Emily-Elizabeth, Tobias, and Aria Owens, Abraham, Abigail, Ezra Rose, and Ellie May Crossman, Dominique, Jr. and Blake Nelson. She was proceeded in death by husband Richard DeChane, father Walter Nixon Huff, mother Iva May Minear Huff, sisters Aurale Huff, Martha Holbrook, Rosemary Smith, and brothers Walter Huff Jr, Wayne Huff, and grandson Marshall Fairchild.

The family received friends from 1 pm to 3 pm Friday, September 10, 2021 in Seydler-Hill Funeral Home. Funeral services followed at 3 pm in Seydler-Hill with Brother Buford Scott officiating. Interment followed in Harwood Cemetery. Pallbearers are Randall Eardley, Ryan Eardley, Thomas Owens, Joshua Owens, Tyler Owens and Evan Owens. Honorary Pallbearers are Wallace Huff and Barry Miller. 

Fran was a beloved mother, grandmother, wife, sister, aunt, and friend that will be dearly missed. Memorial gifts may be made to the Harwood Community Center, ℅ Marjorie Fairchild PO Box 80, Harwood TX. 78632. Services are under the care and direction of Seydler-Hill Funeral Home.

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