Frances Kiehna Carson

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[Frances Kiehna Carson, age 76, of Pinckneyville, Ill., passed away on Monday, Jan. 25, 2010 at 7:45 p.m. in her daughter's home in Murphysboro, Ill.

Frances was born on Nov. 21, 1933 in Pinckneyville, Ill., a daughter to Thomas Todd and Maxine (Anderson) Torrens. On Sept. 12, 1952, she married Russell L. Kiehna at Galum Presbyterian Church, Pinckneyville, Ill. and he preceded her in death on April 23, 1987. She later married Preston Adams Carson on Aug. 1, 1990 at the First United Presbyterian Church, Pinckneyville, Ill. and he preceded her in death on Sept. 20, 2004. Frances had worked as an insurance agent for Consolidated Insurance for 40 years. She was a member of the First United Presbyterian Church, Pinckneyville, Ill., a member and past president of Church Women United, a Girl Scout leader, and a Sunday school teacher. She enjoyed sewing, quilting, bowling, gardening, was an avid St. Louis Cardinal baseball and Pinckneyville Panther basketball fan, and dearly loved spending time with her family.

Frances was a gentle and refined lady who always had a smile on her face. In the years when she was raising her girls, she supplemented the family income by sewing. She was a highly skilled seamstress. Many ladies in Pinckneyville wore clothes with the tag "Hand made for you by Frances". As an insurance agent, she put the needs of her clients first and as a result was highly successful. Frances was tasked to be a caretaker of others several times in her life and she did so graciously. She loved her family and friends dearly and will be missed by many. The last year and a half of her life Frances lived at the Manor at Mason Woods, Pinckneyville, Ill. She love living there and was beloved by all.

Survivors include her daughter, Sandy Kiehna; cherished friend, Amy Skerly of Murphysboro, Ill.; son-in-law, Brad (Nancy) Flinders of San Antonio, Tex.; two step-sons, Neal (Carol) Carson of Oakdale, Ill., and Phil (Joyce) Carson of Oakdale, Ill.; a step-daughter, Becky (Roger) Kellerman of Florissant, Mo.; two grandchildren, Kyle (Meagan) Flinders of San Antonio, Tex. and Kacie (John) Sandoval of San Antonio, Tex.; seven step-grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; a sister-in-law, Kay Torrens of Bloomington, Ill., two brothers-in-law, Jim (Jane) Kiehna of Pinckneyville, Ill. and Dean Kiehna of Pinckneyville, Ill.; a niece, Carol Torrens and children of Normal, Ill.; a nephew, David (Heather) Torrens and children of Monticello, Ill.; and numerous other family and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; both husbands, Russell Kiehna and Preston Carson; a daughter, Pat Flinders; and a brother, Norman Torrens.

Funeral services were held at the First United Presbyterian Church, Pinckneyville, Ill. on Friday, January 29, 2010 at 10:00 a.m. with Reverend Charles Walden and Pastor Phil Carson officiating.

Interment was in Mueller Hill Cemetery, Pinckneyville, Ill.

Friends called at Pyatt Funeral Home, Pinckneyville, Ill. on Thursday from 4:30 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. and on Friday at the First United Presbyterian Church, Pinckneyville, Ill. from 9:00 a.m. until 10:00 a.m.

Memorial donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, the American Leukemia Society or the Pinckneyville Community High School Education Foundation.

For more information or to sign an online guest register please visit www.pyattfuneralhome.com.