Frances W. Ostrander

Frances "Fran" Louise Winkler Ostrander of Centerville passed away on Monday, December 19, 2011. She was 82. Wife, Mother, Sister, Grandmom, Aunt, Cousin, Neighbor, Friend. Fran was defined by her relationships. She loved living and took great joy in the time she spent with others. She never met a stranger, her infectious smile and interest in the every day stories of those around her assured that each person who met Fran was put at ease and drawn to spend some time "visiting."

Frances was born on May 17, 1929 to John and Josephine Winkler in Philadelphia, PA. She was a graduate of Hallahan Catholic Girls' High School where she played bass drum in the marching band and tympani in the orchestra. She was a devoted Girl Scout as a child, teen and adult leader receiving a 35 consecutive year service pin! She married William Ostrander and began a lifetime of devotion as a wife, mother, volunteer and homemaker. Her family has lived in seven different cities and Fran through her creativity, sense of adventure and wit made each new locale "home." Frances was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis and valiantly fought this disease as only a true Lady would, with elegance and grace. Her battle lasted 47 years. She was tenacious and battled each loss of mobility, only accepting a new device when it was certain it could keep her more involved in an active and vibrant life. Fran was a gourmet cook; and you can bet that each meal served at her family table was served hot enough and that time would be spent enjoying the meal and the company of those she loved. Those long dinners at the family table helped influence her proudest accomplishment; raising five children who love, respect and admire each other and are carrying forward the kindness, faithfulness and servants' heart they learned from her.

She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law: Bill (Karen) Ostrander; daughters and sons-in-law: Karen Ostrander (Nick Nickelson), Frances (Nels) Madsen, Marian (Jerry) Krogmeier, Kirsten (Kevin) Leedy; 8 grandchildren: Jami, Kim, Kelly, Lisa (Rob), Luke, Katy Jo, Grace, Matt; brothers: John (Peg) Winkler, Robert (Judy) Winkler; sister: Josephine (Bob) Schilling; brother-in-law: John Waszewski; and numerous other family members and friends. Along with her parents, she was preceded in death by her sister: Jeannette Waszewski.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be said at 10:30 A.M. on Thursday, December 29, 2011 at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, 6245 Wilmington Pike. The family will receive friends AT CHURCH on Thursday morning from 9:30 A.M. until time of Mass. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that donations be made to The Multiple Sclerosis National Research Institute (http://www.ms-research.org/) or Hospice of Dayton, 324 Wilmington Avenue, Dayton, Ohio 45420. Arrangements in care of Newcomer Funeral Home (South Chapel).