"Dear Bill, We were so sorry to learn about Frances and you are in our thoughts and prayers. We know she is greatly missed. With deepest sympathy, Barb & David"
In loving memory of
Dr. Frances W. Ewbank, PhD.
May 20, 1916 - March 16, 2013
Upland: Dr. Frances White Ewbank was born in Detroit, Michigan in 1916. She was the daughter of Andrew and Mildred White. She entered college during the depression and worked her way through Wayne State University, where she received her BA and MA degrees in English. She taught in the Detroit Public Schools for 6 years before taking a position in Wheaton College's (Wheaton, IL) English Department in 1943. Among her students was missionary Jim Elliott (End of the Spear). She left Wheaton to pursue her Ph.D. degree at the University of Colorado, where she received the university fellowship and research fellowship and was elected to Phi Alpha Theta and Pi Lambda Theta honorary societies. She chose to continue her career in Christian liberal arts college teaching at Asbury College in Wilmore, Kentucky. Dr. Rader, former president of Asbury College, established the Frances White Ewbank Excellence in Teaching Award to be presented annually to a member of the Asbury College faculty. Frances taught at Asbury from 1950-1959, then moved to Geneva College, Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania to become head of the English Department, where she stayed from 1959-1964. Her marriage was to Capt. William Ewbank of Yateley, Hampshire, England, in July 1964 at Farnborough Parish Church. His first wife had died leaving him with two daughters, Wendy and Heather, so Frances acquired a ready-made family. She then moved to Taylor University, Upland, Indiana with her new husband, who also acquired a position at Taylor, and their daughters. She remained teaching at Taylor in the English Department until her retirement in 1984. She published articles and reviews in professional publications and was a popular speaker at conferences in her field. She designed a course at Taylor based on the writings of C.S. Lewis, and the Frances White Ewbank Colloquium on C.S. Lewis and Friends, an annual event at Taylor, is named for her. She received the Distinguished Professor Award in 1977 and was an honorary member of Chi Alpha Omega. Her memberships were in the Indiana College English Association of which she had been president, the Modern Language Association, the Indiana College Teachers of English, the Shakespeare Association, and the Conference on Christianity and Literature. She was also a member of the Upland United Methodist Church and was active in the United Methodist Women's Association. In her retirement, Frances enjoyed traveling back to Great Britain with her husband, visiting the members of her large family all over the United States, supporting missionaries (including four of her nephews) in Europe and Africa, carrying on a voluminous correspondence with friends and family, participating in book clubs and Bible studies, and playing the piano. She loved her home in Upland, but due to failing health, spent the last year and a half of her life, along with her husband, at GreenTree Senior Living in West Lafayette. She is survived by her husband, Bill; her two stepdaughters, Wendy (Jim) Tallent of Indianapolis and Heather (Harlan) Day of West Lafayette; seven grandchildren - Jayson (Lori), Cory (Carrie), and Megan all of Indianapolis; Stephen (Sarah) of Raleigh, NC, Peter (Marina) of San Diego, CA, Timothy of Mt. Pleasant, MI, and Andrew of Guayaquil, Ecuador; six great-grandchildren; her younger sister Nancy (Rex) McConnell of Nicholasville, Kentucky; her brother-in-law, David Willison, of Bloomfield Hills, Michigan; her sister-in-law, Muriel White Stehouwer, of Cadillac, Michigan; her sister-in-law, Joy Ewbank, of Canterbury, England, and numerous nieces and nephews and great nieces and great nephews living all over the world. She was preceded in death by her parents; her two brothers, Dr. Frederick White and Dr. Robert White; and her sister, Mildred Willison. Memorial contributions can be made to Taylor University or to the Upland United Methodist Church Missions Fund. Graveside Service: 2:00 pm, Tuesday, March 19, 2013, Jefferson Cemetery, Upland, Indiana Memorial Service: 4:00 p.m. Saturday, April 20, 2013, Upland United Methodist Church, 123 E. Washington St., Upland, Indiana Officiating: Rev. Rob Neel and Dr. Jay Kesler
Tributes
"It is with a deep sense of honor that throughout my whole life I have been privileged to refer to Dr. Frances Ewbank as, "Aunt Frances." Both the mysteries and the beauties of God were displayed in her and through her, like the different shades of light that variously come through a window. One of her favorite poets, in fact, was the Welsh-born, George Herbert, whose well-known metaphysical poem, "The Windows," suggests the same: "But when thou dost anneal in glasse thy storie/Making thy life to shine within/The holy Preachers, then the light and glorie/More rev'rend grows, and more doth win/Which else shows watrish, bleak, and thin." Aunt Frances, in my opinion, was certainly one of the best of "the holy Preachers," for her winsome words matched the integrity of her life."
"My Aunt Frances lived a rich and full life, passing on to her enternal reward at the ripe old age of 96. She took a keen interest in my career as a missionary educator in Europe, and though I would like to think I was special in her eyes, I know that all of her nephews and nieces (of whom she had, by my count, thirty) got a card from her on their birthdays. Still, I may have got the last one, since my birthday is on March 13, three days before she died. She wrote: "Dear Joel, I am unable to write much as my eyesight is nearly gone. However, you, your love ones, and your world are constantly in my prayers". She was sharp as Japanese sushi knife to the very end and deeply committed to her Lord and her family. I will miss her."
"Our dear neighbor from across the street for MANY years in Sellers Addition. We always felt welcomed in their home, were greeted warmly, and always knew how blessed we were to have the Ewbanks as neighbors. Now, as I look at her life as more than just really great neighbors :-) I am reminded that Dr. Ewbank was a great example of a life well lived. Thank you and enjoy your next adventure Frances!"
"We are so saddened to hear of Frances' passing. Even though her present new life experience is no doubt a relief, considering her condition near the end of this life, and a revelation, still it is such a shock for us, and she with her positive outlook will be sorely missed. --John and Barbara Ginther"
"So very sorry to hear about Frances, and Lydia and Hettie join us in sending our condolences."
"Dear Bill and girls: What a marvellous lady Frances was! We appreciated her as a colleague for her desire for excellency for her students. I appreciated her as a neighbor, a fellow church member and a fellow Bible study friend. She was indeed a wonderful role model for me and for others. We know you will miss her greatly but you have the assurance she is enjoying Heaven to the fullest. Blessings upon all of you. With love, Jane & George Haines"
"I will never forget wonderful conversations with Dr. Ewbank. She has always been a source of encouragement throughout the years with cards and notes. I will miss her very much."
"I have been praying for you in the passing of your wife. I am a 1985 Taylor Graduate, and I have the fondest of memories of the two of you together! Please know that even though years and miles may separate us, you are still in my prayers. May God truly meet your every need, and may you be comforted in your time of separation here on earth from your dear wife!"
"Our prayers and deepest sympathies to Bill and the entire family. We look forward to the Memorial Service at Taylor to share in person."
"Dear Bill and Family,So very sorry to read of Frances's passing.She was a very precious and dear lady.I looked forward to her news in her Christmas card every year.May you all find blessings in your many memories. Love,Marsha Boggs"
"We are very sorry to hear about her death. Frances was a wonderful friend and colleague to my mother and we are remembering all of you in our prayers. Becky and I are grateful we were able to visit both of you recently."
"You are in our thoughts and prayers as you go through this difficult time. We know she is with Jesus, and we will see her again one day. The Cooper Family"