Frances Ella (Bar) Holmes

Frances Ella (Bar) Holmes 2/9/1931 – 6/18/2024 of Nunica, MI. It is with heavy hearts that we announce the peaceful passing of our beloved mother, aunt, grandmother and great grandmother, Frances “Frankie” Ella Holmes, age 93. While her family will miss her deeply, we are comforted to know that her lifelong goal of being welcomed into the Lord’s arms has been achieved.

The third of five children, Frankie was born to Joseph and Kathryn (Wajman) Bar on February 9, 1931. Frankie grew up on her family’s farm in Coopersville. A graduate of Coopersville High School, Frances married the late Roger Holmes in May of 1952. Together, they successfully operated Colorview Farms from their homestead in Nunica and raised their seven children. Roger and Frankie also owned Turk’s Inn in Nunica for several decades.

A farm girl at heart, Frances could feed an army on a moment’s notice and was never happier than when family surrounded her table. A lifelong member of St. Michael’s Parish, Frankie’s unwavering faith guided her daily.

Aside from being a dedicated wife, mother and member of the Lord’s flock, Frances had many gifts. She canned nearly 200 quarts of what her family knows to be the best dill pickles in Ottawa County (and possibly West Michigan) every year. Never one to sugar coat the truth, Frankie was more than happy to offer feedback regardless of whether it was asked for. No one ever had to wonder where they stood with Frances! She also loved visits from her grandchildren, who spent countless hours swimming in the pool and raiding her freezer for popsicles. A talented seamstress and tailor to the men in her life, Frankie’s mind contained countless waist and inseam measurements while she cruised garage sales weekly for fun during retirement. 

The Matriarch of the Holmes family has now been reunited with her husband Roger, her parents, siblings John Bar, Marie Sohasky and Joanne Bryant, and granddaughter Leslie Holmes. Frances is survived by her children Rodney (Terri) Holmes, Roy Holmes, Robin Holmes, Ritchie (Joanie) Holmes, Francine (Rick) Brown, Ross Holmes and Rudy (Leigh Ann) Holmes, sister Helen Hanson, 16 grandchildren, 19 ½ great grandchildren, and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. 

The Holmes family invites all to join a funeral mass for Frances at St. Michael’s Parish, 17150 88th Ave, Coopersville, MI 49404 at 11:00 AM on Monday, June 24, with a visitation held one hour prior to the service. A visitation is also scheduled for Sunday, June 23 from 6:00 – 8:00 at Throop Funeral Home in Coopersville, 214 Church St. Coopersville, MI 49404. Memorial donations may be made to St. Michaels Catholic Church, 17150 88th Ave, Coopersville, MI 49404 or Harbor Hospice, 1050 W. Western Ave. Suite 400, Muskegon, MI 49441. Condolences for the family may be left on Frances’s guestbook at www.throopfh.com. 

Throop Funeral Home 

Coopersville, MI 49404