Frances Mae Dillard

May 4, 1932 — June 12, 2022

Frances Mae Dillard, 90 of Edinburg, passed quietly at 10:36 a.m. on Sunday, June 12, 2022 at St. John’s Hospital in Springfield. Fran was born on May 4, 1932 in Lincoln, Illinois, to Frederick and Geraldine (Jones) Patton. She went to Edinburg schools where she made many lifelong friends. She spent her working years at the State of Illinois in the Department of Revenue, where she worked until her retirement. Fran married Ben Dillard on April 7, 1979 at First United Methodist Church in Taylorville, where she was a member for 63 years. In her younger years, she taught Sunday School, and she was also president of the 1st United Methodist Women’s Club. Fran served on numerous committees with the church and helped coordinate funeral meals. She will be especially remembered by her sister, Carol, for being there when Gerry and Fred adopted Carol, and helping to raise her through her teenage years. Fran was a great wife, stepmother, sister, aunt and friend and she will be dearly missed.

Fran leaves behind her husband, Ben, her stepchildren: Ben Dillard III, Gregory Dillard, Christopher Dillard, and Noel Dillard; five grandchildren; one sister: Carol Patton Wacaser (husband Dane); and nieces and nephews including: Matthew (Abbey) Wacaser and Derek (Stephanie) Wacaser.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her brother: Billy Patton.

Funeral service for Fran will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, June 16, 2022, at the First United Methodist Church in Taylorville with Pastor Becky Lembke officiating. Visitation will take place from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service in the church. Interment will take place at Edinburg Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the First United Methodist Church. McClure Funeral Home and Cremation Services in Taylorville is assisting the family with arrangements. Memories of Fran, or condolences to her family, may be shared online at www.mcclurefuneralhome.com.