Frances Schultz dies, widow of longtime Joliet mayor remembered for her kindness

Frances Schultz had a big role in her late husband’s 20-year career as mayor of Joliet.

“My dad would never have lived as long as he did after he got throat cancer without her because she helped him so much,” former Will Council Clerk Nancy Schultz Voots said.

Frances Schultz, known to many people as Frannie, died Sunday at the age of 86.

Arthur “Art” Schultz was mayor from 1991 to 2011 during an era of tremendous growth in Joliet. Voots was county clerk from 2002 to 2018. And Arthur Schultz Jr. served as a commissioner on the Joliet Park District.

But it was her mother who was an example to all of them, Voots said Monday.

“She always set a good example of how easy it was to be loving and just kind to everybody,” Voots said.

Voots has strong memories of her mother helping her raise two disabled daughters and being at her father’s side as he struggled with throat cancer. Art Schultz served most of his 20 years as mayor with a prosthesis that required daily cleaning, which was done by his wife.

When journalists interviewed the mayor in the past about his mayoral successes, he often would urge the reporter to also give credit to Frances, saying, “I couldn’t do any of this without her.”

The mayor had a new fountain at Billie Limacher Bicentennial Park named “Frannie’s Fountain” in his wife’s honor.

The two were married for 57 years until the mayor’s death in 2011. The couple had five children, including Debbie Fonck, Danny Schultz and Mike Schultz.

“She was so proud of my dad – not only for being mayor but also a police officer for 30 years,” Voots said.

Frances would be at the mayor’s side at events. And, while the mayor’s politicking was hampered by the loss of his voice box, Frances’s outgoing personality often made an impression, Voots said.

“People would tell her, ‘You should run for mayor,’ ” Voots said.

Frances mother worked as an election judge under three county clerks, the last one being her daughter. She was active in the Slovenian Women’s Union and Heritage Association. She often accompanied her family on the campaign trail.

“She helped us get elected and set a good example when she was out in the community,” Voots said. “Everybody liked her. She would definitely get you votes. She was a loving and caring person, and she truly will be missed throughout the community. She made everybody feel welcome.”

Visitation for Frances Schultz will be 2 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Tezak’s Home to Celebrate Life followed, and a funeral Mass will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday at the Cathedral of St. Raymond. For information, see an obituary in The Herald-News.