Frances Cheshareck

CUSTER PARK—Frances Emily Cheshareck (nee Vigna), 82, passed away at her home in Custer Park surrounded by loved ones on Friday, Nov. 18, 2022.
Nicknamed Franky, Frances was born on the Marco Polo Farm in Reddick, IL on Oct. 15, 1940. Her mother wrote in her baby book that Franky was a lively child, loved being called “sweet,” and especially loved to cuddle with kittens they had on their farm. She graduated from Morris High School and moved to Joliet where she worked for Illinois Bell Telephone Company while living in the Hannah Harwood Girl's Home on Broadway Street with two of her sisters.
Frances married her high school sweetheart and upon his discharge from the Air Force, they lived in Channahon for 50+ years. They worked hard to give their daughters a fun and eventful childhood. Frances waitressed at The Lone Star restaurant, grew flowers and a large garden, and raced her daughters home from friends' houses at dinnertime. When her girls were in high school, Frances started a 20+ year career as a mail carrier at the U.S. Post Office in Joliet where she enjoyed walking her route and getting to know the people she served. Every holiday, Frances brought home gifts from her customers who appreciated her. She also had a passion for following politics and listened to Rush on the radio daily.
After retirement, Frances spent many years caring for her husband until his passing. As she downsized in her final years, Frances desired to revisit her farm life and built a “Franny-pod” named 'Frankie's Hideaway' on the back of her daughter's home in the country where she watched horses, deer, dogs, cats, raccoons, possums, and a variety of birds that visited right outside her windows.
She is survived by daughters: Marie (Pete) Bohler, Manette Cheshareck (Mindy Walsh), and Mindy (Tony) Scott; grandchildren: Blake and Sabrina Bohler, Miles Field, Mike (Alexis), Sam and Gracie Scott and great-grandchild, Griffin Scott; sibling, Peter (Vikki) Vigna and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and in-laws.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 41 years, Thomas Cheshareck; parents, Frank and Emily Vigna; in-laws Anthony and Mary Cheshareck (nee Karpowicz); siblings: Josephine Pleshe, Carole Vigna, Kathryn Phelan, Frank Vigna, and numerous in-laws.
Per her wishes, there will be a brief visitation prior to her interment with her husband at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery in Elwood and a party to celebrate her life. Visitation will be Tuesday, Nov. 22, 2022, from 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at R.W. Patterson Funeral Home in Braidwood, procession to arrive at cemetery at 1 p.m. The party will be Saturday, Dec. 3, details to be announced.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to the American Lung Association and Uplifted Care (formerly called Hospice of Kankakee Valley).
Arrangements are entrusted to Patterson Funeral Home.