Frances Joyce Bass

Frances J. Bass, 80, of St. Joseph, MI passed away Friday, October 23, 2015 at her home. In Loving memory of Frances J Bass who was both mother and father to her 5 children and always helped those in need  who will be deeply missed but never forgotten a Celebration of Life Service will be held 11:00 A.M., Monday, October 26, 2015 at Starks & Menchinger Chapel, 2650 Niles Rd. St. Joseph with Father German Perez-Diaz officiating. Burial to follow at Calvary Cemetery in Benton Harbor. Military honors provided by the North Berrien Military Rites Team. Friends may visit from 10:00 A.M. until the time of service at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to the Humane Society of Southwest Michigan. Those wishing to sign Frances’s guestbook may do so online at www.starks-menchinger.com Frances was born August 1, 1935 in Benton Harbor, MI to Edgar G. & Frances A. (Horndasch) Walters. She was a graduate of Lake Michigan Catholic High School. Frances proudly served in the United States Navy from 1954 until she was honorably discharged in 1956 where she communicated via Morse Code for the military. She worked as a customer service representative at AEP for 37+  years before she retired. Frances was a member of St. Bernards Catholic Church. She worked as a social worker for a few years and while working at social services she was responsible for bringing the Big Brother program into Benton Harbor. Frances was an avid reader, she read over 1000 books since her auto accident in 1997. She loved spending time with her children and grandchildren more than anything else. She is survived by her children Steve (Linda) Bass of Tallahassee, FL, Thomas  (Tia) Bass of Clearwater, FL, Jamie (Kathleen) Bass of Burkesville, KY, Jerry (Bonnie) Bass of Lehigh, FL and Jeannine (Jerry) Jones of St. Joseph; grandchildren Brandon Jones, Jacqueline Bass, Christopher (JoAnna) Bass, Nicole (Chris) Riley, Josh Bass and Jordon Bass; great-grandchildren Selena, Kendra and Braydon; sisters Margaret Evans and Shirley Newman and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents and her grandsons Zachary & Dakoma Bass and great-granddaughter Penelope Rose Riley; brother George Walters and sister Toni Grdnac.