SOUTH BEND - Frances (Bleich) DeCocq, 95, daughter of Martin and Elizabeth (Tschida) Bleich, born in Pamhagen, Austria, on November 14, 1911, returned to her Heavenly Father on July 18, 2007.

Frances spent her young life in Austria, coming to the United States when she was 11 years old. On December 29, 1934, she married Julius Valaire DeCocq, who preceded her in death on August 30, 1983. They were faithful members of Sacred Heart Catholic Church on Thomas Street and after it closed remained members of Corpus Christi Parish until her death. Frances delighted in her large family, including her daughter, Joan Kreskai, and son and daughter-in-law, Julius and Barbara De Cocq. She has 12 grandchildren and their spouses, Trish (Tim) Brunkhart, Lauire (Hardus) Veen, Sue (Vince) Freeman, Dawn (Leroy) Worsham, David (Liz) Kreskai, Jeffry (Anne) De Cocq, Chris (Shannon) Kreskai, John (Betty) De Cocq, James (Mayra) De Cocq, Jennifer (Michael) Ortiz, Michelle (Chad) Tuttle and Aimee (Dr. Ryan) De Lee. She took great pride in her 27 great-grandchildren, Andrew, Melissa, Darren and Robin Brunkhart, Jessica, Brooke and Erika Veen, Lauren, Eric and Katy Freeman, LeRoy, Matthew and Nicholas Worsham, Nicole and Anthony Kreskai, Erin and Emily De Cocq, Samantha and Gabrielle Kreskai, Athena and Zachery De Cocq, Patrick and Micaela Ortiz, Franziska and Megan Tuttle, Jordan De Cocq and McKenna De Lee; and one great-great-grandchild, Peyton Brunkhart.

Additional survivors include nieces and nephews, Ed and Rose Jasinski, Gary and Nancy Henri, Jerry Black, Joe and Michelle Bleich, Linda Bleich, and Mike and Pat Mondovics, as well as several great-nieces and nephews. She has one sister-in-law, Betty Black, and a special friend, Bette Braun, who often stayed with and took loving care of her. Her last months were spent at Mitchell's Country Care for the Elderly where David and Dorothy Mitchell took wonderful care of her.

In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by all of her brothers, Joseph, John, Bathhauser, Michael, Martin Bleich and Frank Black; and her sister, Mary Mondovics, as well as two baby brothers and a sister who died in Austria; her son-in-law, Donald Kreskai; and a great-granddaughter, Sarah Marie Worsham. Since 1993 she had resided with her children, Joan, Julius and Barbara, who have taken care of her with love and patience.

During these years she spent the majority of her time crocheting Afghans (over 125) for her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews and anyone else who wanted one. She also loved word-search puzzles, pontoon rides, eating goodies, and avidly playing Euchre. Mom loved to dance and play with all the children. One of her favorite things was to sing "You Are My Sunshine" ending with toot, toot and two claps. Now our "Sunshine" is gone.

Kaniewski Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Visitation will take today, July 20, 2007, from 2 to 5 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. in Kaniewski Funeral Home, 3545 N. Bendix Drive, South Bend, IN, where a parish Rosary will be recited at 4:30 p.m. The Mass of Christian Burial will be prayed at 10 a.m. on Saturday, July 21, 2007, in Corpus Christi Church. Her final resting place will be Highland Cemetery next to her husband and close to many members of her family.

Memorial contributions may be made to Corpus Christi Church, 2801 Corpus Christi Drive, South Bend, IN 46628; or to The American Cancer Society, 601 West Edison Road, Mishawaka, IN, 46545. To send condolences or to sign the guestbook, please visit www.kaniewski.com.
Published in the South Bend Tribune on 7/20/2007.