Frances Ort

Frances Ruth Ort of Niles, Michigan, mother, grandmother, hospital volunteer, golfer and bridge enthusiast died peacefully at 12:40 a.m. on Tuesday, November 17, 2020 at Pine Ridge Rehabilitation and Nursing Center in Stevensville, Michigan.

99 years old, Frances was born on July 06, 1921 in Edwardsburg, Michigan to Louis M. and Elizabeth C. (Rogers) Walter and graduated from Edwardsburg High School. She was a proud full-time wife, mother, and homemaker, and made Niles her home since 1964.

Fran was full of compassion, and always had time for others. She was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Niles and of the Niles-Buchanan YMCA. She could be found line dancing, and doing water aerobics well into her 90’s. She was a long-time volunteer with the Pawating Auxiliary at Lakeland Hospital and Meals on Wheels. When she was younger, she enjoyed golf and bowling. She was an avid Bridge player and looked forward to her weekly get-togethers with her longtime friends in the community. She always had time for family and could be found on the sidelines of her grand and great-grandchildren’s’ sporting events over the decades.

On September 20, 1941 in Bryan, Ohio she married Cecil Louis “C.L.” Ort with whom she spent 45 years before his passing on December 28, 1985. She was also preceded in death by her sisters, Margaret Jameson and Mary Catherine Morse.

Surviving family includes her children, Donna Shealy of Ponte Vedra, Florida and Donald W. (& Vicki) Ort of Saugatuck, Michigan; Grandchildren Julie (& Robert) Fleetwood, Jeff (& Jennifer) Ort, Jacqueline (& Andrew) Racine, Aaron (& Erin) Shealy, Matthew (& Courtney) Shealy, and Christina Shealy; and great-grandchildren Madison, Henry, Thomas, Zachary, Kate, Oliver, Allison, Matthew, Ava and Sutton.

The family of Frances Ort will have a private graveside service to share memories and celebrate her life. Contributions in memory of Mrs. Ort may be made to the FPC Foundation of the First Presbyterian Church, 13 South Fourth Street, Niles, Michigan 49120, http://www.firstpresofniles.org/ . Online condolences may be left at:

www.halbritterwickens.com

Fran was always active, but her enjoyment came from the people with whom she participated; and those people – friends and family – loved being with her! Her sweet smile will be missed!