Esther F. "Fran" Schaut, 67 of Elkhart died on Sunday, December 16, 2018 at home.  She was born on April 22, 1951 in South Bend, Ind.  to the late Samuel and Ernestine (Chavers) Bowman.  She was also preceded in death by her brother Sammie Bowman.

Fran worked as a purchasing agent for Dunlap Tools and most recently, Boring Smith until her retirement.  She was a member of Women of the Moose.  She enjoyed playing bingo and watching movies.  Fran loved her grandchildren and boating with them on Lake Wawasee.

She is survived by her fiancé Russell Hibshman, Elkhart, daughter Tina Russell, Mishawaka, sister Annette (Michael) Metzger, Goshen, grandchildren Raymond (Marcie) Russell and Cristina (Joey) Snider.

Visitation will be held from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM on Thursday, December 20, 2018 at Hartzler-Gutermuth-Inman Funeral Home with Funeral Service following at 4:00 pm.  Burial will be at Rice Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be sent to Cancer Resources for Elkhart County, 23971 US-33, Elkhart, IN 46517 or Moose Charities, Inc., 155 S N International Drive, Mooseheart, IL 60539.

Online condolences may be sent at  www.hartzlergutermuthinman.com.

Cancer Resources for Elkhart County
23971 U.S. 33, Elkhart IN 46517

Moose Charities, Inc.
155 S. N. International Drive, Mooseheart IL 60539