Frances Bollinger

BENTON, Mo. -- Frances M. Bollinger, 97, of Benton died peacefully Saturday, Dec. 12, 2020, at Life Care Center of Cape Girardeau.

She was born March 25, 1923, in Diehlstadt, Missouri, and was the daughter of John W. and Ada Michael. She and Monroe E. Bollinger were married Jan. 17, 1948, in Benton, and he passed away Nov. 22, 2000.

She and her husband owned and operated the M&M Drive-In and M&M Grocery in Benton for many years. Frances was the First Lady of Benton during her husband's five terms as city mayor. They were both beloved members of the community.

Frances was a member of St. Denis Catholic Church; Lady Elks of Chaffee, Missouri; Red Hat Society; St. Ann's Sodality of St. Denis; and Extension Club of Benton, when they won several awards for their Neighbor Day floats. She and Monroe were members of the Promenaires and Hilltoppers Square Dance clubs, There she met some of her lifelong friends who were like family.

Frances and Monroe loved to travel to new places and go camping with their family. She was a spunky lady with a contagious smile and was loved by everyone who knew her.

Survivors include sons, Michael (Joy) Bollinger of Johnson City, Tennessee, Bill Bollinger of Cape Girardeau and Tom (Terry) Bollinger of Jackson; grandchildren, Matt (Kim) Bollinger of Fernandina Beach, Florida, Cori (Jason) Wray of Jackson and Kiley (Jaime) Loesch of High Ridge, Missouri; great-grandchildren, Sara Bollinger, Josh Bollinger, Matthew Bollinger, Zack Koeller, Hannah Wray, Lyla Loesch and Mya Loesch; and four great-great-grandchildren.

Friends may call from 9 to 10 a.m. Wednesday at Ford and Sons Benton Funeral Home.

Funeral Mass will be 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at St. Denis Church, with the Rev. Bala Govindu officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery.

Due to COVID-19, the family requests everyone socially distance and wear masks.