We Live in Hearts We Leave Behind~Thomas Campbell

A funeral will be held Thursday, April 6th, 2006 for 84-year-old Frances C. Ballinger of Ste. Genevieve, who died Sunday at her home.

She was born September 10th, 1921 in La Junta, Colorado, the daughter of Tony and Marie (Johnson) Rosales who both preceded her in death.

She married Homer Ballinger. He preceded her in death.

She is survived by a brother and sister in law, Anthony and Donna Rosales and a sister, Ethel DeBella, all of Sacramento, California.

She served as chairman of the Bolduc House Committee from 1950 to 1976 and often talked about scrubbing the floors of the Bolduc and next-door LeMeilleur House on her hands and knees and making curtains for the Bolduc House.

She created Civic Tours in 1957. She worked in the office of Civic Tours in the Old Courthouse Building until 1985 when the Great River Road Interpretive Center opened at Main and Market Streets.

As a charter member of the Jour de Fete Committee, she has served as treasurer of the committee from its formation in 1965 until 2004 and continued to serve on its board until her death.

She organized the Country Christmas Walk for 20 years.

She was also a charter member of the Foundation for Restoration, French Colonial Association and the Visitors and Convention Bureau. She served four years as president of the River Heritage Tourism Commission.

Her honors include the Distinguished Member Award from the Foundation for Restoration, the Distinguished Service Award from the Chamber of Commerce and she was the first recipient of the Wake Up To Missouri Tourism Award.

December 4th, 2004 was celebrated as Fran Ballinger Day in Ste. Genevieve.

She worked with the Girl Scouts for 10 years. She started the first teen center in Ste. Genevieve with the help of the Girl Scouts. The teen center was in the old public school building at Second and Market Streets, which was demolished to make room for a bank.

She joined the Ste. Genevieve Women Club in 1951. She served as president of the organization and as an officer of the 9th District of Women Club. She worked on many club projects, including the lining of the street in Pere Marquette Park with maple trees.

As a member of the First Presbyterian Church, she was the first woman to serve as ruling elder. She also served as vice-president of the Potosi Presbytery and was an officer of the Southeast Presbytery and Giddings Lovejoy Presbytery. She served as president of the Women of the Presbyterian Church and was given life membership in the church.

She served on the Ozark Regional Library Board.

She served on the County Fair Board.

She served on the Fund for Progress Committee.

Visitation will be this evening from 4-8 at the Basler Funeral Home.

A funeral for 84-year-old Frances C. Ballinger will be held Thursday at 10 a.m. at the First Presbyterian Church. The Rev. Lorraine Stange will officiate.

Burial will be in the Crestlawn Cemetery.