Frances Pryor

Frances J. Pryor, 98, of Massillon, died early Sunday surrounded by her children at the home of her daughter and caregiver, Judith Haynam and her husband Clark. She was born February 7, 1913, in Canton, a daughter of the late John C. and Margaret I.(Suhr) Blackledge, and was a lifelong resident of Massillon. She retired in 1983 after 24 years as PBX receptionist at the former McLain Grocery Co. She was a longtime member of St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Massillon and was formerly a member of the women’s circles at the church. Her first husband, David J. Crookston, died in February 1946, and her second husband, Albun L. Pryor, whom she married on Aug. 31, 1950, died October 31, 1971. She was also preceded in death by a sister, Ruth Cecil. Surviving in addition to her daughter, with whom she lived for more than 20 years, are daughters Diane Books, of Massillon, and Margaret (Francis) Bailey, of Beach City; a stepdaughter, Nancy Halbert, of Los Angeles, Calif.; a son David J. (Sally) Crookston, of Massillon; a stepson, Robert (Arline) Pryor, of Mesa, Ariz.; a sister, Dorothy McKinney of Perry Township; a brother, John F. Blackledge, of Canton; 23 grandchildren; and 38 great-grandchildren. A funeral service will be conducted at 11 a.m., Thursday, November 17, 2011 at St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Massillon with the Rev. Robert Brigham, interim pastor officiating. Friends may call at the Arnold-Lynch Funeral Home in Massillon from 6 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, November 16, 2011 and 1 hour prior to the service on November 17 at the church. Interment will be in Sunset Hills Burial Park in Jackson Township. Memorials may be made to St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Massillon. The family wishes to thank Crossroads Hospice of Northeast Ohio and its staff for their caring service. Paquelet & Arnold-Lynch – A Golden Rule Funeral Home – 330-833-4839