Frances Goodwin

People who knew Frances Goodwin found it easy to describe her. Words like gracious, positive, gentle, perky and faithful come to mind in a minute. Frances loved her family and her church, faithfully serving the Lord by living her life as a true Christian woman. She was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother who instilled lifelong family values in her children.

The early twentieth century was a time when America had become the most industrialized country in the world. The availability of automobiles changed the social climate forever. Many of the issues we face today were important then, including the escalation of immigration and poverty, labor and monopoly battles, work safety and child labor problems. It was the decade when America became of age. It was during this time, in the midst of a thunderstorm, on November 17, 1918, that a child was born to Ernest and Maude (Miller) Beers of Richland Junction. The Beers welcomed their daughter, Frances Miller, to the world with open arms and loving hearts. The child was given her mother's maiden name, Miller, as her middle name.

Frances had a childhood typical for children of this era. They lived in a house where there was no indoor plumbing or electricity for many years. The family celebrated when the bathroom facilities were installed inside the home and oil lamps were replaced with light bulbs. Frances was fortunate to have a loving family and grandparents who provided her with the nurturing necessary to produce a well-adjusted happy child.

When Frances was seven years old, the family moved to Plainwell where she attended the Bridge Street Elementary School and became a member of the Methodist Church. Frances loved to sing, so she became involved in the church choir. While in school, Frances was an industrious child. She would wash dishes after the lunch hour to earn free lunches, and clean offices after school to earn spending money. Frances was a healthy child and never missed a day of school.

After graduation from high school in June 1938, Frances began working at Richard's Gardens . Richard's Gardens was a business involved in the raising of perennial plants that were shipped all over the country. Frances worked in the office as a typist while her father, Ernest, worked in another area of the business.

On July 29, 1940, Frances Miller Beers became the bride of Herman George Bradshaw. After a marriage ceremony in the home of her parents, the newlyweds traveled to Wisconsin for their honeymoon. While in Milwaukee, they did some shopping, went to the zoo and visited a television station. Returning to the Plainwell area, the young couple established a home and began their life together as husband and wife. They were blessed with two children; a son, Melvin, was born in 1941 and a daughter, Mary, was welcomed to their family in 1943. The Bradshaw family attended the Otsego Methodist Church where Frances was an active member of the Women's Christian Temperance Union. Frances and Herman raised two children and shared their life for twenty-five years before Herman died in November of 1965.

After Herman's death, Frances obtained a job at Borgess Hospital in the kitchen where she cooked meals and delivered them to the patients. By this time, her children were venturing out of the "nest" and beginning their lives as adults. In later years, she worked at Parker-Hannifin in the brass section.

Frances became involved with a Parents without Partners group where she spotted an attractive man who sparked an interest. Frances was determined to meet him, so at the next bowling event she managed to get a seat next to him. They spent the evening getting to know each other and eventually over time, their friendship developed into a loving relationship. Frances and Frank were married on March 31, 1967 at the Plainwell Baptist Church. Frank was the father of five children; two sons; Douglas and Dave, and three daughters; Joyce, Judy and Janet. Their blended family now grew to seven children; from which many grandchildren and great grandchildren blossomed to became integral parts of their lives. Frances was a loving stepmother and mother-in-law, who cherished her role in their lives.

In December of 1967 the couple moved to Florida. Frances and Frank were very well-suited for each other and enjoyed many of the same interests. In Florida, they became members of the Methodist Church where Frances learned to play the organ and became an active member of the choir. A cherished family memory was when her grandson, Nick, baptized her into the community of Christ in Allegan MI where both her and her husband Frank were active members. Another was when her daughter, Mary, would play the piano and they would sing together.

The couple spent many hours visiting flea markets and going to yard sales. Frances had many hobbies and made crafts to sell at the church bazaars, at which she was very active. The couple loved bird watching and made houses for blue birds. They also enjoyed gardening and spent countless hours in their yard attending their flowers and orange tree. It was a thrill for the them to pick fresh oranges for their breakfasts. Creatures of habit, you would find the couple at Wendy's for their chicken sandwiches and chili almost every day for lunch.

The grandchildren and great grandchildren would often visit their grandparents in Florida where they were spoiled with outings to the zoo and Disney World. Chocolate milkshakes were also part of their world when visiting in Florida. They have many happy memories of visits to their grandparents house. It was always an enjoyable time for them. In 1985, after seventeen years in Florida, the couple returned to Michigan.

Frances was a quiet soldier, she lived her life in the shadow of her faith. She was a gracious woman who never had a bad word to say of anyone. Her friends were treasures in her life and valued more than having money in her pocket. The greatest blessing in her life was family...it was also her greatest joy. Frances, who always gave selflessly to enrich the lives of those around her, will be missed by all who loved her.

Frances Goodwin died on July 28, 2005. She is survived by her husband, Frank, and children; Melvin and Jane Bradshaw of Richland, Mary and Nicholas D. Van Atter of Martin, and step-children; Douglas Goodwin of Florida, Joyce Shives of Oklahoma, Dave and Cheryll Goodwin of Gobles, Judy and Jerry Weston of Ohio, and Janet and Wilbur Patton of Zeeland; grandchildren, Bryan and Nicole Bradshaw, Nicholas H. Van Atter and Vinny Penoro, Dion Van Atter and Lauri Annette and Jim De Young, great-grandchildren; Ally Marie and Brady Alan; 15 step-grandchildren and 24 step-great-grandchildren. The visitation service will be held on Sunday from 2 - 4 PM at the Rupert, Durham, Marshall & Gren Life Story Funeral Home, Plainwell Chapel followed by the service at 4:30 PM. Please visit Frances' memory page at www.lifestorynet.com where you can read her life story, archive a favorite memory, order flowers, or make a memorial donation to the ALTAC Unit at Borgess-Pipp Hospital.