Frances Maria FRUCCI

9 NOV 1907 - 14 JUN 1968

• BIRTH: 9 NOV 1907, Crystal Falls, Iron County, MI
• DEATH: 14 JUN 1968, South Bend, IN

• MARRIAGE: 1926

1.  Mildred KNEZEVICH
2.  Michael KNEZEVICH

INDEX

[N20536] Francesca Marie “Mary” Frucci Knezevich

Birth 9 Nov 1907
Crystal Falls, Iron County, MI

Death 14 Jun 1968 (aged 60)
South Bend, St. Joseph County, IN

Burial
Hungarian Sacred Heart Cemetery
South Bend, St. Joseph County, IN
Plot Knezevich Plot
Memorial ID 62917305

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Francesca Maria - Mary -to her Serbian Friends - was born to Rosario & Annita Vannozzi Frucci - Italian immigrants - while residing in Crystal Falls, Iron Co., MI. Her Father - along with many other Italians - came to work in the Iron Mines of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. The Fourth of Eleven Children - her family living in mine housing known as Armenia Location. Siblings were Dominick John (Antonette "Trina" Frucci), Lorenzo "Lawrence" (Allene Davis), Frank (Edith Eltzroth VanSickle), Francesca "Frances" Mary (Dane Knezevich), Theresa "Tillie" (John Olinger), Anthony "Tony" (Nellie Eckler), Bruno Peter (Edith "Dickie" Edwards), Baby Maria 1916, Victor - the First who died at 7yrs of age, Veronica "Ronnie" (Rocco Marrandino), John B (Virginia Mae Heiermann) & Victor Richard (Lila Mae Evans & Diana Ida Johnsen) Frucci. The family located to Niles, MI in 1917 where many other Italians from the native Filadelfia, Catanzaro, Calabria were living. Frances married Dane "Dan" Knezevich in 1926. He was born in Yugoslavia and was Serbian Orthodox. They were members of Saints Peter & Paul Serbian Orthodox Church which was like their second family! They became the parents of Mildred "Mitz" (Kermit Adams) Knezevich, Helen (Glen Matthews) Knezevich, Michael Knezevich (Shirly Moriarty)&(Maria Vuckovich) & Anita "Toots" (Marvin Schindler) Knezevich. Dan died in 1942 at 44 1/2 yrs of age. Frances had two short-lived marriages before being married to Cyril "Cy" VanHeesbeke in 1951 in So. Bend, IN. They were marrried for Seventeen years before Frances passed. "Cy" is buried in the same plot with Dane and Frances. Her son - Michael Knezevich died at the age of 53+ - He is buried next to them. Francis began working at Dainty Maid Bakery in downtown So. Bend - Later opening her own shop -Gold Star Bakery and M & M on Lincolnwy at Mayflower, with Son - Michael. Many beautiful and delicious cakes appeared at family celebrations. The Author's Wedding Cake being one of the MOST Beautiful to be baked and designed by Mike. Frances passed on May 14, 1968 at the age of Sixty after surgery. She is interred at Sacred Heart Cemetery - Serbian Orthodox area with her family. Submitted by Niece - Anita Frucci Rodgers

See Photos: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/62917305/francesca-marie-knezevich