Feb. 2, 1926 — March 1, 2019

Frances R. Pratl, 93, passed away at 6am on Friday, March 1, 2019, in the Chalet of Niles.

Frances was born February 2, 1926, in Chicago, to the late Frank and Rosa (Pirola) Fruci. Frank passed away in April of 1926.

Rosa then, in 1928, then married John Yelape and moved to Niles. He had three children, she had one, and between them, they had four more. Preceding Frances in death was her husband, Ray in 2010, after 62 years of marriage; mother, Rosa; step-father, John Yelape; sisters, Rosa in 1924, Nancy Yelape, Frances Yelape Fickes, and Lena Yelape; and brother, Vito Yelape,

Francis is survived by her brother, John Yelape; sisters, Carmella Wade Rex of Niles, and Elizabeth Yelape Myers of Florida; and many nieces and nephews.

Frances graduated from Niles High School in 1944. On April 24, 1948, she married Raymond Pratl at St. Mary’s Church, Niles. She worked at Schwarz News Agency from 1945 to 1948, Simplicity Pattern Co from 1949 to 1956. Her last employment was as secretary to Dr. Charles Eades, M.D., retiring after 27 years.

She was a member of the following: St. Joseph County Medical Assistants, serving two years as President, CCD teacher at St. Stanislaw Church in South Bend and St. Mary’s Church in Niles, St. Mary’s Altar and Rosary Society, St. Mary’s St. Vincent DePaul Society, St. Mary’s Advisory Board, Co-Chairman of Eucharistic Ministry Service which served shut ins, hospitals, and nursing homes, St. Mary’s Funeral Luncheon Committee and St. Mary’s Food Pantry. She enjoyed traveling wither her husband both in the U.S. and Europe, many trips were religious pilgrimages. She enjoyed gardening and spending time with friends and especially time with all her nieces, nephews and their families.

Visitation was from 4 to 7 p.m. on Sunday, March 3, 2019, in Halbritter Wickens Funeral Home, 615 E. Main St., Niles, where a Rosary was prayed at 6 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at 10 a.m. on Monday, March 4, 2019, in St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 219 S. State Street, Niles. Burial followed at Calvary Cemetery.

Memorial Contributions may be made to the St. Vincent DePaul Society at St. Mary’s Church or to the donor’s choice.

Condolences for the family may be made at halbritterwickens.com