Frances Jo Ann Rimmer Ostwalt, 94, of Troutman, N.C., died on Wednesday, July 9, 2025, at her residence. Frances was born in Iredell County on March 11, 1931, to the late Samuel Jasper and Leona Brown Rimmer. She was the beloved wife to the late Rev. Franklin B. Ostwalt. She was employed by Troutman Shirt Mills and retired from Hunt Manufacturing. She was a member of Beulah Heights Wesleyan Church ,which she and her husband “restarted” after it had closed briefly. She was a dedicated pastor’s wife who did whatever it took to help her husband’s pastorate be successful –whether it was cleaning the Church or any other task that needed to be done. She was considered to be the “Grandmother of the Church and her community” as she was always involved in so many aspects of people’s lives. She was also a very devoted mother to her children.
Frances was the mother to her son, Kenneth Randall Ostwalt (Patty), and to her daughter, Cathy Sue Ostwalt, all of Troutman. She had two grandchildren, Philip R. Ostwalt (Misty) and Lauren Comer-Fitzgerald (Ryan), all of Troutman. She also has three great-grandchildren, Skylyn, Gage and Josey, who also survive her.
The family will receive friends on Tuesday, July 15, 2025, from 10 a.m. until 11 a.m. at Beulah Heights Wesleyan Church, located at 108 Emmanuel Road in Troutman. A service celebrating her life will follow at 11 a.m. with Rev. Trent Patterson officiating. Interment will follow the funeral service at Iredell Memorial Gardens.
Memorials may be made to Hospice and Palliative Care of Iredell County; 2347 Simonton Road, Statesville, NC 28625.
Condolences may be sent to the family, online at www.bunchjohnsonfuneralhome.com.
Bunch-Johnson Funeral Home of Statesville is honored to be entrusted with the care of Frances and her family.