Frances Schram Wheeldon, 88, of Lake Charles passed away at 7:50 a.m. on Friday, March 15, 2024 in her residence.

Affectionately known to many as “Nana”, Mrs. Wheeldon was born on Jan. 10, 1936 in Lake Charles where she lived all of her life and was a graduate of St. Charles Academy.  She furthered her education by attending McNeese State University.  She was an insurance adjuster for the family business, Frontier Adjusters.  Mrs. Wheeldon also shared her love for interior designing and had a business called Frans Things.  She was a member of St. Margaret Catholic Church.  She had a strong love for her Catholic faith and a deep devotion to the Blessed Mother in the Rosary.

She was active in Jaycee and Jane’s and was past president of the Jane’s and she was also very active in the Junior League of Lake Charles.  Mrs. Wheeldon was an outstanding cook and won a state championship which allowed her to represent Louisiana in the National Chicken Cookoff in Jackson, Miss. at the age of 52. She was a proud pageant chaperone for Miss Lake Charles and Miss Louisiana.  Mrs. Wheeldon was a great supporter and fan of the Stars and Stripes Softball team.

Mrs. Wheeldon will be remembered as a kind and giving family member and friend who never met a stranger and doted on her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Those left to cherish her memory are her loving and devoted husband of 67 years, Bob Wheeldon of Lake Charles; a daughter, Lori Nunez (Philip) of Sweetlake; grandson, Robert Nunez of Holmwood; granddaughter, Ashley Verret (Anthony) also of Holmwood; great-granddaughter, Gracie Jo Nunez of Iowa; great grandsons, Gavin and Colt Verret of Holmwood; and Godchildren, Gus Schram, III (Lisa), Karl Schram (Angela), Sharon Sturlese (David), and Eric Schram (Catherine).  She also leaves behind numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Mae and Gus Schram Sr.; brother, Gus Schram Jr. (Rose); and Godchild, Mark Schram.

The family is very grateful to the caring nurse, Missy Giles, to the staff at Heart of Hospice, and to their amazing caregivers, Mrs. Judy English and Mrs. Marie LeBlanc, for seeing us through the good times and the difficult ones.

A funeral mass will be held at 10 a.m. on Monday, March 18, 2024 at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception.  Monsignor James Gaddy will officiate.  Burial will follow in Consolata Cemetery under the direction of Johnson Funeral Home.  Visitation will begin on Sunday from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. with a rosary being recited at 6 p.m.  Visitation will continue on Monday from 8:30 a.m. until leaving for the church at 9:30 a.m.

Words of comfort to the family may be expressed at www.johnsonfuneral home.net.