Frances Tallman

Frances T. Tallman, 78, of Cape Girardeau died Sunday, Sept. 14, 2008, at Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau.

She was born Jan. 11, 1930, in Cairo, Ill., daughter of William and Camille Dunlap Travis. She and George R. Huckleberry were married in 1949 in Mound City, Ill. He preceded her in death in May 1973. She later married John C. "Jack" Tallman on Aug. 31, 1975, in Cairo. He died in November 2003.

Tallman was a 1948 graduate of Thebes High School, and received an associate degree in business from Southeast Missouri State University.

She was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church and its Ladies Auxiliary. She was also a member of the Red Hat Society and Delta Omicron sorority.

Tallman worked for U.S. Congressman Ken Gray and U.S. Senator Glen Poshard. She ran the Southern Illinois office of State Representative David Phelps and also served as the Democrat Party chairwoman for Southern Illinois. In addition, she was the director for Alexander County Senior Citizens.

Survivors include three daughters, Karen (Mike) Freeman of Gordonville, Constance C. (Jim) Dyak of Atlanta, Marcie L. (Ray) Ince of San Antonio; six grandchildren, Brian Swoboda, Christopher Freeman, Lauren and Meredith Dyak, Carrie and Rusty Ince.

She was preceded in death by her father, William Travis; stepfather and mother, Ray and Camille Brown; and a brother, Carlton Brown.

Friends may call from 6 to 9 p.m. Wednesday at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Funeral Home.

The funeral will be at 10 a.m. Thursday at Trinity Lutheran Church. Burial will be in Beechwood Cemetery in Mounds, Ill.

Memorials may be made to Trinity Lutheran Church.