Frances I. (Gross) Eby, 86, a resident of Fort Wayne and widow of James L. Eby, passed away at 3:30 p.m. Monday, Jan. 26, 2016, at Grey Stone Health and Rehab Center with her family by her side.

Frances was born in Eel River Township on March 6, 1929, a daughter of Jasper and Laura (Longsworth) Gross. She spent her formative years in rural Allen County and graduated from Arcola High School in 1947.

On Aug. 14, 1948, she was married in Churubusco to James L. Eby, and was a lifelong resident of Allen County. She had worked at the former Patterson Fletcher Department Store in Fort Wayne and later in the cafeteria at Huntertown School. She retired from the offices of the Indiana Department of Transportation after over 20 years.

She was a member of Huntertown United Methodist Church, its United Methodist Women, and the former Boots ‘n Bonnets Square Dance Club. She will be remembered for the beautiful afghans she knitted, and in her retirement years enjoyed traveling with her husband in their fifth-wheel.

Mr. Eby preceded her in death on June 5, 2013.

The surviving relatives include her children: Karen (Fred) MacFarland, Fort Wayne; Sheila Coburn, Huntertown; and Dennis (Julie) Eby, Angola; a brother: Leonard Gross, Fort Wayne; two sisters: Marjorie Brumbaugh; and Marilyn (Robert) Felger, both of Fort Wayne; six granddaughters: Carrie (Chad) Hindenlang; Cris (Mark) Nolot; Lindsey Eby; Tasha (Jeff) Santalucia; Danielle (Brent) Powell; and Kelli Roberson; a grandson: Devin Coburn; and 16 great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, Feb. 1, at Huntertown United Methodist Church, with Pastors Greg Hiatt and Gabrielle Ginder, officiating. The family will receive friends at the church on Sunday from 2-5 p.m., or one hour prior to the service Monday morning.

Interment will be in the Eel River Cemetery, Allen County.

Sheets and Childs Funeral Home in Churubusco is in charge of the arrangements.