Sharon Sue Francois, 83, of Mount Vernon, Illinois, passed away at 2:10 pm March 6, 2026 at Stonebridge Memory Care in Mount Vernon. She was born September 18, 1942 in Anna, Illinois to the late Raymond and Zelma Marie (Watkins) Sweitzer. Sharon married Tommy Joe Francois on October 15, 1986 in Douglas, Arizona. He preceded her in death on January 4, 2026.

Sharon is survived by her daughter, Deena Barghothi and significant other Mark McCarthy of Jersey City, NJ, her step daughter Jennifer Lynn McElwain and husband, Andrew of Washington, Missouri, and step son, Thomas Joseph “TJ” Francois of Springfield, Illinois, and grandchildren, Greg, Mike, Emma, Jacob, Abby, and Matthew.

Sharon was a faithful member of Saint Mary Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Mount Vernon. She graduated from SIU Carbondale with a Master’s in Education and worked as a teacher for her entire career.  She was president of the Jefferson County Historical Society for several years, where she helped create, among other events and programs, ‘The Day in the Life of a Prairie Child’ program which was honored by the Illinois Association of Museums. During her tenure at the Historical Society it was named Small Museum of the Year and Small Institution of the Year by the Illinois Association of Museums. She was also active with the American Battlefield organization, Ambassador of the Chamber of Commerce, and the Retired Teachers Association. Sharon was loved by many and will be deeply missed those left to cherish her memory.

A Visitation will be held Sunday, March 15, 2026 from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm at Hughey Funeral Home in Mount Vernon. A Funeral Mass will be held Monday, March 16, 2026 at 11:00 am at Saint Mary Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Mount Vernon with Monsignor David Darin officiating. Interment will take place at Saint Joseph Cemetery in Cobden, Illinois. Memorials may be made in Sharon’s honor to the American Battlefield Trust or the Jefferson County Historical Society.

Call Hughey Funeral Home at 618-242-3348 or visit hugheyfh.com for further information.