Franni Vermeer

Frances Mae Vermeer was born on January 12, 1959, to Joseph and Ginny Pearl (Young) Staley, in Barberton, Ohio.  

Franni graduated from high school in Sanford, Florida, in 1977, and went on to attend culinary school at Johnson and Wales University in Rhode Island. She was a chef in Orlando at Hilton and Hyatt Hotels. After meeting Timothy, she took her culinary skills in a different direction by feeding elementary children in the Orlando public school system. She wowed both staff and students by giving the school lunches five-star treatment.

On February 14, 1998, she was united in marriage to Timothy Vermeer in Bradenton, Florida, at the Oneco Methodist Church with Pastor Al Greene.

Franni was very creative, she could write song lyrics and poems, and draw with charcoal, pencil and paint. She loved to entertain; it was always extravagant because she was an amazing cook. She loved her perfume, Coach purses and appreciated great quality. Franni loved dogs and had at least seven throughout her life. She enjoyed collecting Coca-Cola memorabilia, liked the music group The Monkees, and she and Timothy loved to watch Mayberry RFD together. Franni was a foodie and they enjoyed trying new restaurants together.  Franni told Timothy that she did not want to live in Florida anymore and wanted to find her “Mayberry.” After a year of exploring, Franni chose Pella because of reading about the way of life in Pella, through the Pella Chronicle. She was always grateful for the acceptance of fellow church members at the United Methodist Church.

Franni is survived by her husband, Timothy, three nieces: Ellie, Donna, and Mary; and one nephew Billy.

She was preceded in death by her parents Joseph and Ginny Pearl Staley, and her brother Robert Young.  

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