Mary Frances “Fran” Dettwiler, 88, of Iowa City, formerly of West Liberty, died at Lantern Park Specialty Care Center in Coralville, surrounded by family on Nov. 26, 2023.
Visitation will be held from 10 a.m. to noon, Thursday, Nov. 30, at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in West Liberty, with the funeral service to be held immediately following at noon. After the funeral service, a luncheon will be held with interment to conclude in the North Prairie Cemetery, West Liberty.
The Henderson-Barker Funeral Home in West Liberty is caring for Fran and her family. Memorial donations may be made to Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in West Liberty.
She was born June 23, 1935, in Jackson, Tenn., the daughter of Ira and Mary Marie (King) Melton. Frances attended Bruceton High School in Tennessee before moving to West Liberty. On Dec. 11, 1954, she was united in marriage to Harold Dettwiler.
Frances was a homemaker and also enjoyed working at the West Liberty Community Center coordinating activities and meals for seniors for many years. Frances also enjoyed sewing, reading, and becoming a master gardener. Frances was a member of Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in West Liberty for 50 years.
Frances is survived by her son, John Dettwiler, Conroe, Texas, two daughters: Susan Meyer, Kansas City, Mo., Kathy (Brian) Courtois, North Liberty. She is also survived by her sisters Iris Scott and Doris (Donald “Curly”) Vrchoticky both of Iowa City, and brother William (Nancy) Melton of Paris, Tenn. Frances is survived by 10 grandchildren, Cody, Hannah (Justin), Sam, Justin, Kyle, Kayla, Allison, Dana, Nathan, and Jacob, and many nieces and nephews.
Frances was preceded in death by her parents, Ira and Mary Marie Melton, her husband, Harold Dettwiler, her son, Harold “Buzzy” Dettwiler, and her daughter-in-laws, Jodi and Renee Dettwiler.