Frances D. Humelsine

Frances Humelsine, 91, passed away peacefully on February 6th at Chambersburg Hospital, surrounded by close family. She lived a faithful life and now rests with Jesus.

Frances was born in 1934 in Caddo, OK, and was raised on a farm. She attended a two-room schoolhouse and rode her Shetland pony to school. Her father passed away when she was a teenager. She, her mother and younger sister moved from the farm to nearby Durant, OK. They all worked together to make ends meet by doing laundry and ironing, and by babysitting. Frances always said, “We were poor but we didn’t know it. We were happy!”

She graduated from Southeastern State College in Durant in three years with a degree in teaching. While teaching in Texas, she visited Pennsylvania to meet her brother-in-law’s extended family, and she met his cousin, Jim Humelsine. They corresponded for a year, and she moved to Chambersburg in 1958. She got a teaching position, and she and Jim were married in 1959.

Frances lived a life of service. She taught first grade at Portico Elementary School for 35 years and educated over 1000 children. Wherever she went, she ran into former students. She was a well-loved teacher and the designated “tooth puller” for all grades.

She was a kindergarten Sunday School teacher for 40 years, Cub Scout Den Mother for 10 years, High School Band Parent, elementary school tutor, Meals-On-Wheels Driver for 10 years, and docent at the Franklin County Jail. She was a member of the Shook Home Auxiliary. When she volunteered at the Chambersburg Heritage Center, she dressed up as historical women from Chambersburg’s past.

She was a charter member of the ADK teacher’s sorority in Chambersburg and managed their annual fund raiser for years. She was a member of King Street United Brethren church for over 67 years, where she belonged to the New Life Sunday School class and served as the treasurer for the Prime Timers social group. She served on two mission trips to Honduras. She was a loyal Penn State fan and loved the Blue Band – especially when her son was a member. She was a member of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma. Along with her husband, Frances was an avid Volksmarcher. She served as an officer in the Cumberland Valley Leadfoot chapter. She walked in all fifty states twice.

Frances was smart, strong, practical, independent and generous. Faith and family were the centerpieces of her life. She loved her family and kept in touch with everyone through Facebook, email, cards, frequent phone calls and visits. Frances made friends wherever she went, and she was known for her cheerful personality. She loved to laugh and tell stories.

She was loved and will be missed by many.

She is survived by her son Jim (Mary) of Neptune, NJ, grandson Ryan of Hartford, CT; sister Maurine Knoll of Denison, TX, sister-in-law Pat Wilson of Chambersburg, PA, nephews Steve Knoll (Darla) of Little Elm, TX and Rick Wilson of Chambersburg, PA; niece, Nicole Bird (Robert) of Hurricane, WV, several grandnieces and their families, and a host of cousins and many close friends. She was predeceased by her husband, James, her father, Jesse and mother, Leota, and brothers-in-law Robert Wilson and Donald Knoll.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, February 14, 2026 at 10:00 AM in the Chapel of the Thomas L. Geisel Funeral Home, 333 Falling Spring Road, Chambersburg, PA 17202, with Pastor Ron Cook officiating. Burial will follow the service in Norland Cemetery. The family will receive friends in the funeral home on Friday evening, February 13, 2026 from 6:00 to 8:00 PM and one hour prior to the service on Saturday.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to United Way of Franklin County, 182 South Second St, Chambersburg, PA 17201. Please write “Stuff the Bus” in the memo line of your check. Donations will be used to buy school supplies for children throughout Franklin County.