Susan Adele Frederick Franks, 96, passed away Saturday, August 13, 2016 at Golden Guardians in Corydon, Indiana. She was born March 2, 1920, in Corydon, to the late Jacob Frederick and Ida Mugler Frederick. She was preceded in death by her parents, her  husband, Stanley E. Franks, who passed away in 1980, her sisters, Ollie Reinhardt, Edna Kraft who also lived to 96 years young, Lindell (Cass) Fisher, Mary Geneva (Gay) Fisher, Melvin Frederick who served in World War I, George Frederick who was Corydon Town Marshall,  Frieda Reinhardt Gaither, and  Ruth West. Susan was the youngest of nine children and attended Hursttown School on top of the hill which served all eight grades in the one room school. Her brother-in-law, Orlin Reinhadt, her first schoolteacher, taught all grades including his 4 yr. old sister-in-law, Susie, at the school behind her home. She later attended New Salisbury High School and graduated in 1937 from there. At 96 she could still recite her first Latin lesson in Latin and English and remember what the teacher said it was.

As early as ten, Susie began writing the Hursttown News for the Corydon Democrat when her older sister gave her the unpaid position of correspondent. She enjoyed talking with neighbors and reporting their social activities and daily happenings throughout her writing career.

Susan also played the piano for church, weddings, receptions, funerals, and church celebrations. She often was a substitute pianist for New Salisbury United Methodist Church and Bible School and also taught the juniors Sunday School Class there for over twenty-five years as well as worked in Bible School.

She, Stanley and daughter, Kathy, became members of New Salisbury.

Later she and many singers began monthly visits to the original Corydon Nursing Home, Indian Creek when it was built, later Vencor, and also the Crawford County Nursing Home. Hillview Elderly

Apartments also asked her to bring her singers, "Susie's Girls and Guys," to entertain with old favorite songs once a month. To this day Clifford Lahue and Kathy Skinner entertain once a month there.

For many years, she also volunteered playing for churches without pianists such as Hancock Chapel, Zoar, Potato Run, homecomings at Gethsemane, ice cream suppers, and community events with her group singing at those functions. She didn't like to take any donation for playing. She felt that was her gift to the community and the church. She also managed to take her singers to county hymn sings as long as they were physically able to attend.

Survivors include daughter, Kathy, of Newburgh, Indiana. Her husband Robert passed away  in 2011.

Clifford Lahue has been a good and faithful friend for more than thirty years. Special thanks to Ed and Maxine Emily, wonderful neighbors, Ron and Delores Martin, and Larry and Linda Elder, also great friends and neighbors who have been supportive of a widow living alone with little eyesight. Richard Shewmaker also was a wonderful neighbor and friend. Nancy McIntosh, the violinist, always delighted Susie with songs from the movie "Titanic" and also sold her house in record time. Thank you to all who worked in the singing group -- many of whom are now in heaven singing.

Susie enjoyed her time spent at Golden Guardians, managed by Holly, where home cooked meals are served and finger nails are painted and hair styles are created for the ladies there. Special thanks to Brooke, Kristina, Theresa, Tara, Shannon, Kim and Holly and Tom for all their extra help and support!

Katrina's Elderly Care was Sue's first residential stop due to severe loss of vision and Katrina, David, Becky, Andrea, James, and Katrina's family including Stripes, the cat, were all family to Sue. Stripes slept every night with Sue at Katrina's. Sue especially loved little Jayla, who was 2 and would lead her to the restroom or kitchen.

Per Sue's request there will be no visitation and no public service.

A private memorial service will be held and interment will be in Hursttown Cemetery where her family rests. Rev. Betty Sieberns will be officiating at the private ceremony.

Susan would like to help others learn music and improve their skills so gifts or memorials may be sent  to help music and band  students to North Harrison High School, Band and Music Dept.

Donations also may be sent to Keith Oppel, for the Hursttown Cemetery care and mowing. Hospice and Hosparus are also excellent places to send gifts and memorials. May everyone live as healthy and happy a life as Sue did for most of her 96 years!

Beanblossom-Cesar Funeral Home in Corydon is in charge of arrangements.