May 2, 1940 – December 14, 2022
Information provided by Smits Funeral Home
Frances Carol Houts, 82, died peacefully at home on December 14, 2022, having been surrounded by her son, friends, beautiful flowers from special friends and her favorite music.
Fran was born May 2, 1940, in Youngstown, Ohio, a daughter of Thelma Chenoweth (Struble) and Carl Ferrara. Step daughter to Harold Downey Chenoweth.
Fran was a 1958 Boardman High School (Ohio) graduate. She was an executive assistant for SuperX Drugs in Youngstown and Cincinnati, then at Jacor in Cincinnati, and finally at Clear Channel Radio in San Antonio, Texas before retiring in 2009 while living in Charlotte, North Carolina. Fran moved to Schererville, Indiana in 2014 to be closer to her son in Chicago.
Fran’s favorite retirement activities included quiet mornings which she never had working, traveling, watching cooking shows and making the recipes, going to movies and lunch with dear friends in her new town, and going to plays at Theatre at the Center in Munster, Indiana including fabulous dinners out with dear friends, the Parciaks. We have missed these times since the pandemic.
Fran is survived by her son, Randy Houts of Chicago. She was preceded in death by her parents, sister Margaret (Peggy) Anderson and her husband Chester and a brother Joseph Downey Chenoweth. She is also survived by a large extended family in Youngstown, Atlanta including sister-in law, Susie Wenderoth Chenoweth Ericson, Columbus and Washington state including sister-in law, Jan Brizzi, many cousins, nieces, and nephews.
Fran requested no formal funeral or visitation. Family requests any material tribute take the form of a contribution to the American Heart Association or Theatre at the Center in Munster, Indiana.
Mom, I love you and know you were always there for me in life and will always be in my heart. Love, Randy
