Monna Conant Frakes Obituary (1933

Monna Marilyn Frakes, 85 of Salem died Sunday, September 29, 2019, at her home in Salem, Illinois Monna was born December 17, 1933, near Sandy Branch in Foster Township, Marion County, Illinois, daughter of George William "Bill" and Grace (Bassett) Conant. She married Philip Howard Frakes on October 8, 1952 at the First Baptist Church in Cairo, Alexander County, Illinois. Monna is survived by son; Stephen P.H. Frakes of Salem; daughter, Terri Adams of rural Salem; Grandsons, Nathan R. (Angie Albert) Courtright of rural Salem, Trent M. Adams of Carlyle, Brock R. (Lauren Matheny) Adams of St. Peter, David P.A. (Andrea Morlan) Belfiore of Salem, and Daniel W.E. Belfiore of Salem; great-grandchildren, Jillian Riley (Adam) Wilkins, Madison J. Courtright, Amelia Courtright, Wyatt R.W. Belfiore, Ryleigh Rae Belfiore, Hadleigh Belfiore, Grayson Adams, Waylon Belfiore, Emmett Adams, and Vincent Philip Belfiore; great- great grandson, Lane Wilkins; son-in-law, Rick Adams of Patoka, sisters-in-law, Betty (Hammer) Frakes of Fairview Heights, and Judy (Frakes) Thurman of Bakersfield, CA; and many nephews, nieces and friends. Besides Monna's parents and husband Phil, she was preceded in death by her daughter, Tonya Rae (Frakes) (Courtright) Belfiore (2010) of Salem; sister, Donna June Conant (1946) of Foster Township; brothers, Elmer Dale Conant (1961) and Lyle Eli Conant (1988) both of Kinmundy; sister, Marjorie Edith (Conant) Jones (2013) of Salem, formerly of Foster Township; and sister Betty Lou (Conant) See (2013) of Salem, and her best friend Betty Jo (Fulton) Ray (2013) of Springfield. Monna, also known as "Polly" by her family, started her working career right after graduating from Kinmundy High School in 1951. She became a telephone operator for Illinois Bell Telephone Company in Salem, which is where she met the love of her life, Phil Frakes, who was also employed there. In December of 1953, Monna and Phil moved to Edwardsville, Madison County, Illinois, where they both remained employed with Illinois Bell Telephone Company. All three of their children were born while living there. In 1962, Phil was transferred to Springfield, so they moved their family there. Monna worked as a desk clerk for the very large Holiday Inn, East. Monna and Phil were members of the First Baptist Church of Springfield. It was there where Monna met her best friend, Betty Jo Ray. In March of 1973, Monna and Phil moved back to Marion County, Illinois. They built a new home in Foster Township. Monna worked for the new Holiday Inn in Salem. Then later worked as a waitress for H&H Truckstop in Kinmundy. In January of 1982, they moved to Salem, into the boyhood home and historical Lemen_Frakes house, where Abraham Lincoln had stayed and home that had been in Phil's family for a few generations, since 1909. Monna later worked for North American Lighting, which is where she was employed when she retired at the age of 67. After that, for as long as his health allowed, Monna and Phil wintered in Apache Jct., Maricopa County, Arizona. A place they really loved. Monna and Phil loved traveling. Together they made it to 48 states. Neither made it to Alaska. Phil had been to Hawaii. Many of those trips were taken with best friend Betty Jo. In later years, when she wasn't able to travel, she had many memories and photos of her trips. Monna also loved reading novels and poetry, enjoyed her Tuesday lunches with friends and loved working puzzles. She gave blood every time there was a blood drive, showing her concern for people she didn't even know. Monna loved her family and chihuahas, always putting them all first. Celebration of Life services will be held on Saturday October 26, 2019 at 6:00pm at the Grace Church of the Nazarene in Salem. In lieu of flowers, Memorials may be made to the Shriner's Hospital or Sandy Branch Cemetery and will be accepted at Rogers- Atkins Funeral Home who is assisting the family with arrangements.