Francine M. Sickling, 82, of Mishawaka, passed away peacefully in her home with her faithful companion Bruce by her side on September 29, 2018.

She was born on January 8, 1936 in Port Huron, MI, the daughter of the late Floyd and Beatrice Dewey.  Francine moved to the Mishawaka area where she lived out her life and where she married Merle E. Sickling on August 17, 1962.  He preceded her in death on November 3, 2011.

Francine was a stay at home mom and wife.  She once said that her happiest days were when she had all her boys at home when they were all little.  Francine also babysat some of the neighborhood children, Gin, Jacqueline, and Roy McGee.  Francine considered these three as her children as well, she would ask about them often.

Surviving are her children, Robert (Luanne) Doan of Granger, David (Martha) Doan of Elkhart, Michael (Christine) Doan of South Bend, Sheryl (Jim) Roberts of Elkhart, Larry (Rachel) Sickling of Granger, Floyd (Renee) Sickling of Osceola, and Mark (Crystal) Sickling of Mishawaka; 20 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; and her siblings, Bill (Isabella) Dewey of Port Huron, Ruthanne (Charlie) Dewey-Weldon of Avoca, Michigan.  She was preceded in death by her husband, Merle E. Sickling; brother, Douglas Dewey; son-in-law, Jim Roberts; nephew, Kevin Wright; Brother and sister-in-law, Floyd and Peggy Sickling; brother and sister-in-law, Webb and Mary Louise Jordan; brother-in-law, Leo Dexter; and her In-laws, Floyd and Flora Sickling.

Francine enjoyed yard selling and the farmers market, as well as cookouts, holidays-especially Halloween, and family reunions.

Francine was in the care of Hospice of South Bend, IN.  The family would like to thank you for your dedication and support not only to Francine but to her children as well.

Francine also was given care by her neighbor, Carole Biggs. From Mom and the entire family, there are no words to describe how much you meant to her and all of us for all the time and effort you put in by helping our mom.  You are an outstanding woman and we thank you all from the bottom of our hearts for the care you gave to our mother.

Friends and family will be received on Saturday, October 6, 2018 from 10-11 AM in the Chapel Hill Funeral Home, 10776 McKinley Highway, Osceola, IN  46561 with the funeral service in Francine's honor beginning at 11 AM following the visitation at the funeral home.  Burial will follow in Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens.