Frances M. Wirtz Frances M. Wirtz, 93, of Terre Haute passed away Sunday, March 2, 2014 in Union Hospital. She was born on November 21, 1920 in Oxbow, Saskatchewan, Canada to Chester J. Scheidemantle and Madge Brooks Scheidemantle. Frances was a switchboard operator for 20 years for Indiana Bell Telephone Company. She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert J. Wirtz who died in 2004. Survivors include two sons, Earl K. Wright of Madison, IN and James L. Wright and his wife Barbara of Terre Haute; two daughters, Earlene K. Olson and her husband Ted of Terre Haute and Sharon G. Brand of Lawrenceville, GA; eight grandchildren; and four great grandchildren. At the age of 2, Frances returned to Terre Haute with her family. She was a 1938 graduate of Gerstmeyer Technical High School. For several years she was President of the local Communication Workers of America-Long Distance Operators Division. In the mid-1950's Frances served on the Board of Directors of the Vigo Country Labor Council and was also on the Board of Directors in the early years of the United Way and the Board of the American Red Cross. She was also involved in several other community activities. Later she spent ten years as supervisor of the switchboard at Indiana State University. Her years in the workforce were completed with several years' employment at the Vigo County Library. She was a member of St. Benedict Catholic Church and enjoyed major league baseball, particularly the Cincinnati Reds and PGA Golf. A celebration of Frances's life will be 11:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M. Wednesday, March 5, 2014 in Callahan & Hughes Funeral Home, 605 S. 25th Street. Burial of her cremains will be in Highland Lawn Cemetery.
