Frances Kay Niles

RICHLAND CENTER – Frances Kay Niles, 84, passed away on November 27th, 2024, while under hospice care in Madison, Wisconsin. She was born to Chester and Verda (Kitchell) Miller at the family Centennial Farm near Nokomis, IL on February 19th, 1940. Kay was a scholastically talented student and earned National Merit Scholarship Finalist status while at Pana High School. She also excelled in music. She began her college studies at Illinois Wesleyan University and earned her BA degree in Elementary Education at Illinois State University. Kay was a believer in life-long learning and accumulated additional continuing education credits in science from the University of Wisconsin System. She was a respected teacher throughout her 35+ years in Illinois and with the Richland School District. Always seeking a new challenge, she taught at Gillingham, Washington, Akan Central, Brewer, and Doudna Elementary Schools. She was even lured out of retirement to serve as a Librarian in the Ithaca School District for a semester. Kay’s proudest accomplishments were the successes of her students and their productivity in society. In retirement, she enjoyed sewing, gardening, and caning antique chairs while volunteering at the Richland Community Food Pantry and at the Richland Chamber of Commerce Visitor Center. 

Kay was united in marriage to Jack W. Niles on July 6th, 1962, in Leland, IL. They were married for 55 years before his passing in 2018. Kay is survived by two sisters, Evelyn Prohaska of Massachusetts and Ann (Bob) Ashley of Red Bud, IL and sons, Scott (Terri) of Middleton, David (Kathleen) of La Valle/Tucson, AZ and Andrew (Robin) of Fitchburg as well as many nieces, nephews, grandsons, granddaughters, and a great grandson. 

A celebration of Kay’s life is being planned for a future date.