Thursday, September 3, 2015, heaven received another angel. Frances Ilene (Craker) Amos (known to everyone as Ilene) was born November 20, 1929, in Monett, MO, to Charles Samuel Craker and Nellie Mae (Barrow) Craker. She was one of 16 children. Ilene was preceded in death by the husband that was the father of her children, Donald Lee Amos; her daughter, Cynthia Lee (Amos) Franklin; son-in-law, Rick Franklin; her husband, Orville Mattlage; her parents; and 9 brothers and 4 sisters. She is survived by a daughter, Celia Amos Vincent of Billings; son, Mark Amos of Kirkland, WA; 5 grandchildren, Rachel (Vincent) Choate & husband Michael Choate Jr of Springfield, Eric Vincent of Fair Play, Nicole Amos of Lake Stevens, WA, Krista Amos of Allen, Texas and Roark Amos Thompson of Woodinville, WA. Ilene was also blessed to have stayed on earth long enough to meet and get to know her first great-grandchild, Michael Alan Choate III. She is also survived by sister, Mary Petlitzer and husband Lee Roy of Nixa; brother, Calvin Craker of Kansas; and a host of nieces and nephews. To Ilene, being "family" wasn't always about being related by blood or legalities, so she also left with love in her heart for Rhonda Amos of Independence, KS (mother of Niki and Krista), Tamara Thompson of Woodinville, WA (mother of Roark) and David Vincent of Fair Play (father of Rachel & Eric). Her grandchildren and great-grandchild were the joy of her life. She always said she thought her oldest 4 grandchildren were born exactly when they were because God knew she would need them everyday after she lost her beloved daughter Cindy in 1994. Ilene was baptized and confirmed at Trinity Lutheran Church (Freistatt) and moved her membership to Zion Lutheran Church (Bolivar) when she moved to Polk County in 1989 to be near her daughters. Ilene was a loving wife, mother, daughter, sister and Grandmother. She was an avid reader. Until her dementia made it impossible, she could always be found either reading a book or working a crossword puzzle. Despite her limited formal education, she was always the family expert on spelling and vocabulary. With her children and grandchildren she fostered a love for reading with regular library trips and if someone wanted a particular book, she would find a way to get it. She will be dearly missed. A memorial service to celebrate her life will be held on Saturday, October 31 at 10:00 AM, at Midwest Cremation and Funeral Services in Springfield.