Mrs. Francine Seier of Cape Girardeau passed away Sunday, Sept. 20, 1998, at the Southeast Hospital at the age of 59.

She was born Aug. 16, 1939, in Perryville, Mo., the daughter of John and Hazel (Richardson) Ford. She married David "Peewee" Erlbacher in 1959 and in 1974 she married A. J. Seier and he survives.

She is survived by her husband, Judge A. J. Seier of Cape Girardeau; her parents, John and Hazel Ford of Cape; three daughters, Dawn and Gary Ton of Memphis, Tenn.; Debby Erlbacher Steger of Cape Girardeau and Kathy and Kevin Van de Ven of Maryville; one step-son, Jay Seier of Denver, Colo.; a step daughter, Sloan and Derk Masters of Loveland, Colo.; one brother, John Ford Jr. of Cape Girardeau; and nine grandchildren, Crystal, Katie and Steven Ton, all of Memphis; Andrew and Betsy Steger of Cape Girardeau; Amy Elizabeth, Annie and Abigail Van de Ven of Maryville; and Benjamin Masters of Loveland, Colo.; a nephew, Nathan Ford of Cape Girardeau.

Francine graduated from Central High School in 1957 and attended Southeast Missouri University and Southern Illinois University. She owned and operated Francine's Flowers & The Secret Garden in Cape since 1980. She had been failing health the past seven months.

She has been active in many civic organizations' fund raising projects for this community. Among them are: Hospital Volunteer for the Southeast Hospital and St. Francis Hospitals, March of Dimes Chairman for 1972, Heritage Ball Co-Chairman in 1976, Girl Scout Leader, Active in PTA, nominated Woman of the Year, National Multiple Sclerosis Fund Raiser, Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce, Southeast Missouri Art Council, Colese Club, past president, Historical Society and numerous other organizations.

She taught floral design at the Cape Vocational School for many years, was honorary Guest Designer at Missouri State Floral Convention in 1995, was honorary Guest Designer for Disney World in 1997 and was a member of the National Floral Association.

Visitation will be from 4:00 to 8:00 pm Wednesday at McCombs Funeral Home in Cape Girardeau with funeral services at 10:00 am Thursday, Sept. 24 1998, at the funeral home. The Rev. Jeff Sippy will officiate and entombment will be in Memorial Park.

Francine had requested donations be made to the National MS Society. Make checks payable to the National MS Society, c/o Francine's Flowers Shop, PO Box 1714, Cape Girardeau, MO 63702.