Frances M. Anthon

Frances Margaret Anthon, 72, of Rockford, passed away on Wednesday, February 27, 2013, at OSF St. Anthony Medical Center following a sudden illness. Frances served as Executive Director of Assault & Abuse Services of Stephenson County for 35 years, where she developed an agency that has had a immense positive impact on the lives of so many in the Freeport area. Frances was born February 18, 1941, in Ames, Iowa, the daughter of Richard and Katherine McTague. After graduating from the University of Iowa, she married Christopher Anthon in Champaign, Ill., on July 23, 1967. She was an active member of the North End Square Neighborhood Association and took special joy in the beautification of the neighborhood and the Huffman Blvd. flower beds in particular. We have lost an amazing person who made the world a better place for so many. Survivors include her husband, Christopher; daughter, Sarah (Buck) Butler of Sewanee, Tenn.; son, Michael (Julie) Anthon of Rockford; grandchildren, Isabel and Kate Butler, and Wally and Joe Anthon; siblings, Joseph McTague of Denver, Mary Huchting of Chicago, Peter McTague of Springfield, Mo., Julia McTague of Questa, N.M., Tim McTague of Fort Collins, Colo., Susan Ellenberger of San Jose, Calif., and Nancy Haas of Denison, Iowa, and James Pearson of Chicago, a young man she met through her work who became like a second son to her. A memorial service for family and close friends will be held later in the spring. Her family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made in Francess honor to Assault & Abuse Services of Stephenson County, 222 West Spring St., Freeport, IL 61032.