Frances Imogene Detrick Svihla, 92, passed away peacefully at 11:46 p.m. on October 30, 2020, at her home in Terre Haute, Ind., with her children by her side. Her health had been declining for several years. She was born on January 5, 1928, in Terre Haute to William Harrison Detrick and Grace Eleanor Detrick. She married Charles Ludwig Svihla on May 29, 1953, at Mitchel Air Force Base on Long Island, N.Y. He passed away on March 5, 2016, after 62 years of marriage. Frances is survived by her children Randall (Lusine) Svihla, Alexandria, Va., Doreen Svihla-Jones, Galveston, Tex., William (Terri) Svihla, West Terre Haute, Ind., Charles Kurt (Sonja) Svihla, Pittsburgh, Pa.; grandchildren Ryan (Rita), Robert, Michael, Aisha, Connor, and Charlize Svihla, Brooke (Michael) Solis, Carrie and Jon Jones, and Lindsey (Rob) Black; great-grandchildren Brockton, Ben, and Conner Jones, Manuel, Mariah, Jaime, and Antonio Segura-Gonzalez, Owen and Sadie Solis, and James Svihla; sisters Mary Wright and JoAnn Mackie; nephew Bruce Mackie II; nieces Laurie (Philip) Tignino, Erin Mackie, and Jody (Richard) Cook; and great-nephews Philip and Anthony Tignino, and Bailey Cook. Frances was preceded in death by her son-in-law Benjamin Jones; grandsons Jayden and Caden Svihla; and great-granddaughter Ruth Svihla. Frances graduated from Garfield High School in January 1945 and attended Indiana Business School. She worked as a secretary in the Registrar’s Office at Indiana State University in the early 1950s, as a keypunch operator at Columbia Records in the early 1960s, . and as a secretary in the Guidance Office at Indiana State University Laboratory School from 1964 until she retired in 1990. Many students have fond memories of her friendly smile and welcoming presence. Frances deeply loved her children and was a constant source of encouragement to them. She doted on her grandchildren and took an active part in their lives. She was a major influence in the childhood experiences of Ryan, Robert, and Connor. She drove Connor to and from school until she was no longer able to drive. She never missed one of Aisha’s and Charlize’s dance recitals in Pittsburgh until her health declined, and made the drive by herself several times when she was in her 80s. Frances was a lifelong member of Barbour Avenue United Methodist Church and was active in church affairs. For several years she was the church secretary and published the weekly bulletin. She served as the Pastor-Parish chair for three years, and frequently visited shut-in members and took them to doctor appointments. She baked countless pies with her famous light, flaky, melt-in-your-mouth pie crusts for church bake sales and funeral reception dinners over the years, and taught pie making classes at the church. Frances was an avid reader and a faithful patron of the Plaza North branch of the Vigo County Public Library for many years, and instilled a love of books and reading in her children and grandchildren. Frances was an expert seamstress and made many of her children’s clothes when they were young, including matching Christmas pajamas every year. In her later years, she was an avid quilter and made many beautiful quilts that are treasured by her family. Frances loved gardening and took great pride in her yard. She especially loved birds, and went to great efforts to attract them. She planted many berry plants that Kurt gave her to attract birds, and made frequent trips to Graham Grain to stock up on thistle, sunflower seeds, and suet to feed her feathered friends. In her final years she greatly enjoyed watching the birds at the bird feeder hanging outside her window. Frances traveled extensively across the U.S. and Canada with her sister Mary Wright. In later years they attended many gospel concerts throughout the Midwest, and amassed an extensive collection of audiotapes and CDs of their favorite performers. Frances tried to help her community in any way she could. She was an early convert to recycling and made countless trips to the Indiana State University recycling center. She had a rare blood type, and was a frequent blood donor at the Indiana Blood Center, which recognized her for her many years of donations. Frances will be lovingly remembered and forever missed by all who knew her. The family would like to express their deep appreciation to Frances’s long-time caregivers Phyllis Readinger, Bailey Hauer, Holly Homburg, Debbie Schefke, and Debbie Snow for their loving care that enabled France to spend her final years at home. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., on Tuesday, November 3, 2020, at Barbour Avenue United Methodist Church, 1401 Barbour Avenue, Terre Haute, with Pastor Robert and Kathy Roush officiating. Visitation will held at the church 5:00–7:00 p.m. on Monday, November 2 and 10:00–11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, November 3. Interment will be in Roselawn Memorial Park, 7500 N. Clinton Street, Terre Haute. Greiner Funeral Home of Terre Haute is in charge of the arrangements. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association at www.alz.org. Online condolences may be made at www.greinerfuneralhome.com

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