Frances Mary Rujawitz Nicks

Fran grew up in Belleville, Ill., and graduated from Belleville Township High School. Upon graduating she went to work at the telephone company. After raising her children she returned to work at the St. Louis Post Dispatch eventually retiring as the chief operator.

Fran was preceded in death by her husband of 45 years, Andrew R. Nicks Sr., whom she married on Oct. 23, 1947, and who died on June 13, 1993; her parents, Emil and Cecelia, nee Bauer, Rujawitz; sister, Helen Stock; brothers-in-law, Raymond Hartoin, Kenneth Weisen and Virgil Stock; and nephew, Greg Stock.

Fran enjoyed listening to Cardinals baseball and spending time with her family. She was an outgoing person who never met a stranger. She will be dearly missed by family and friends.

Surviving are four children, Andy Nicks Jr., (Vicky Groth) of St. Louis, Mo., Diane (Jon) Sawyer of Yuma, Colo., Jay (Elaine) Nicks of Belleville, Ill., and Rob (Terri) Nicks of Glen Carbon, Ill.; along with seven grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; sisters, Lucille Wiesen and Marge Hartoin both of Belleville; sister-in-law, Louise (Paul) Wehner of Festus, MO; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Donations may be made to the Heart Association or the American Cancer Society .

Visitation: Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Monday, May 6, 2013, at Valhalla Gaerdner Holten Funeral Home, 3412 Frank Scott Parkway West, Belleville, Ill. 62223.

Funeral: Services will be held at noon Tuesday, May 7, 2013, at the funeral home with Monsignor McGee officiating. Interment in Valhalla Gardens of Memory in Belleville, Ill.