Frances Drake Koerner

Frances Drake Koerner peacefully went to be with the Lord on May 23, 2026, at Westwood Senior Life Assisted Living in Bourbonnais, Illinois. Fran was born on March 26, 1938, to Robert and Mary (Wright) Drake in Midland, Michigan. Following graduation from Midland High School, she attended Olivet Nazarene University for two years. Fran married Carl L. Koerner Jr. on August 6, 1960, and they were married for 65 years. The Koerner's were longtime members of College Church of the Nazarene, where Fran worked for more than 45 years. Through her work in the church office, she became a steady and caring presence in the life of the church family. Whether answering phone calls, praying with and for others, organizing funeral dinners, inviting people to church events, or offering friendship and encouragement, much of her ministry was carried out quietly behind the scenes. She valued time with family and friends and enjoyed keeping up with their lives, activities, and accomplishments. Surviving are her sons, Chris and Elizabeth (DiPietro) Koerner, and Curtis and Kimberly (Kauffman) Koerner; five grandchildren: Chad (Amanda) Koerner, Kristen (Kyle) Blaylock, Cory Koerner, Danielle (Trey) Kinsey, and Joshua (Sarah Phillips) Koerner; eight great-grandchildren, Madison, Ethan, Mason, and Blakey Koerner, Daniel, Leonidas, and Juliette Blaylock, and Henry Kinsey; and her sister, Grace Arnold, along with several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Carl L. Koerner Jr., parents, Robert and Mary Drake; her brother, Leslie Drake; her sister, Joyce Yeakle; and brother-in-law Richard Yeakle; granddaughter-in-law Ashley Nicole Koerner; brother-in-law William Minor; and niece Lisa (Yeakle) Smith. A visitation will be held Friday, June 5, from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. at Clancy-Gernon Funeral Home in Bourbonnais. An additional visitation will be held Saturday, June 6, from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m., followed by a Celebration of Life service at 1:00 p.m., both at College Church of the Nazarene in Bourbonnais. Dr. John Bowling, former pastor of College Church and President Emeritus of Olivet Nazarene University, will officiate. Interment will follow at Kankakee Memorial Gardens in Aroma Township. Memorials may be made to College Church of the Nazarene Benevolence Fund, 200 N. University Avenue, Bourbonnais, Illinois 60914. Arrangements are by Clancy-Gernon Funeral Home.

Frances Drake Koerner

March 26, 1938 - May 23, 2026